Cricket: Step up to national team finally secure

Nathan McCullum's batting has helped secure a place in the Black Caps. Photo / Getty Images

It's 11 seasons since his first-class debut but Nathan McCullum can finally consider himself a permanent part of the Black Caps limited overs team. It has not been easy.

The 30-year-old's spin bowling means he has battled for a national spot against arguably the best slow bowler New Zealand has produced, Daniel Vettori, who is still only 32 and unlikely to disappear into a cloud of footmark dust.

Jeetan Patel has been a formidable contemporary. McCullum has only recently passed Patel in the 50-over team with his superior batting and fielding and he has also been dogged by what might be termed "Jeff Crowe syndrome" - a fine cricketer but constantly compared to the freakish skills of your younger brother.

McCullum the elder has persevered. The 29-year-old's CV includes tidy off-spin bowling, clean boundary hitting and dynamism in the field, backed by a secure pair of hands. He complements Vettori as a second spin option as well as hitting and saving runs in other facets of the game.

McCullum has played 19 one-day internationals and 25 Twenty20 internationals. Last season (2009-10), his T20 influence was impressive. He topped the batting averages with 46.33 (including six not outs from nine innings) but more importantly did so with a strike rate of 115. He secured the equal most catches (seven) from a non-wicketkeeper and produced the most wickets (15) at the second-best economy rate (6.38).

While his returns slumped against Pakistan in the T20s after Christmas, there was evidence of a revival in the 50-over series. His influence in the field was impressive - much like Chris Harris or Lou Vincent in recent eras. It's a shame there is no official measure of runs saved. McCullum is regularly the face the cameras pan to when a batting team is frustrated by a human barricade.

"It is all part of being in the ring early," McCullum says. "The likes of me and Guppy [Martin Guptill] are being put in positions where the ball comes to us most - the in-field early and the boundary in the latter stages. There are concerted plans designed to make the most of our speed and accuracy.

"It's a part of the game I've always enjoyed. You're always looking to make a brilliant catch or run out."

McCullum has complemented that with two half-centuries - his first at international level - in the last three matches. He let himself down hitting a tame pre-meditated lap shot into his stumps in Hamilton. His 65 in Auckland was his best innings to date, despite the short Eden Park boundaries. While he made the most of them - 34 boundary runs in the conventional V - he also showed an ability to back himself more during the 120-run sixth wicket stand with Scott Styris.

"It's not a fantastic record but I'm pleased I've finally been able to take it up a notch from domestic level," McCullum says.

"You're fighting yourself in some ways, asking whether you're good enough to be able to do it. It comes with experience in some respects; the more games I play, the more comfortable I feel, especially with the bat."

What makes that more satisfying is his recent signing with the Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League for a contract of US$100,000.

"Who knows how those auctions work but I'm comfortable heading there," McCullum says. "As long as they've got my favourite curry, lamb saagwala, I'm okay with a bit of heat."

He'll have to be, in every sense, over the next six to seven weeks.

Filial first XI

*Brothers to play test or one-day international cricket for New Zealand

1. Jack and Gren Alabaster
2. Brendon and John Bracewell
3. Martin and Jeff Crowe
4. Dayle, Barry and Sir Richard Hadlee
5. Matthew and Rob Hart
6. Phil and Matt Horne
7. Hedley and Geoff Howarth
8. Hamish and James Marshall
9. Brendon and Nathan McCullum
10. John and Murray Parker
11. Richard and Murray Webb