Cricket: Captaincy criticism doesn't faze McCullum

Brendon McCullum of New Zealand leads his team from the field. Photo / Getty Images.

Criticism of his captaincy style doesn't faze Brendon McCullum.

The New Zealand skipper copped plenty of it for his field settings during Australia's match-deciding first innings of 556 for four declared.

At times, he had several players running into new positions more than once an over, and on one occasion set an 8-1 field setting to double centurymaker David Warner, only to send four more fielders across to the onside to the following ball.

Australian commentators thought McCullum got too cute, trying to maintain a reputation for being ahead of the game, keeping the opposition off guard.

But McCullum maintains being off beat is one way New Zealand can force a game and try to keep the opponents guessing.

''We're always going to try and be proactive but we didn't have the level of control we wanted," McCullum said of a poor first innings bowling display.

''Sometimes it works and people say you're a genius, and sometimes it doesn't and people criticise.

''That's our style of play, we know it gives us our greatest opportunity but you've still got to execute as well."

New Zealand fly west to Perth today, where they will meet up with two more seamers, Otago's Neil Wagner, called in as cover for Tim Southee, and Auckland's Mitch McClenaghan, who was named yesterday to replace the injured Jimmy Neesham.

It's possible neither will be needed for the second test starting on Friday.

However, New Zealand are expected to wait until Wednesday, when they are due to have a voluntary practice session, to get a clearer picture of Southee's return to full fitness.