Cricket: Fearless McCullum can climb right to the top

If it was put in any other context Brendon McCullum might have cause to feel insulted but when Stephen Fleming describes him as un-New Zealand-like, it is a term of endearment.

Asked whether McCullum enjoyed the opportunity to open the batting against the pace of Brett Lee in Thursday night's Twenty20 at Eden Park, Fleming was unequivocal.

"He relishes everything which is part of the excitement I have with the guy," the Black Caps skipper said prior to yesterday's opening one-day international against Australia.

"He's an entertainer and willing to take a gamble and a chance to back his skills. It's not really New Zealand-like."

"It's great to have that injection of youth and ability. If anything he's got to temper it and pick his shots. That'll come with experience," Fleming said.

That experience moved forward yesterday in the one-day defeat of Australia, although McCullum could only manage eight runs.

"What we've done in the past is throw guys up [to open] who show a bit of potential and it hurts them," Fleming said.

McCullum, 23, would testify to that. With barely a top-class domestic game under his belt, he was taken to Australia for the VB Series and was exposed at the top of the order scoring 71 in four innings

"I think he's a wee way away," Fleming said of McCullum moving back to the top of the order in a more permanent role. "In the absence of Nathan Astle he's a good foil. With Nath in pretty much full health, he'll open. He does a pretty good job too with 14 international one-day hundreds.

"Brendon's value down the order is still more important than putting him up the top but it is going to be an option in the future.

"He's a talented athlete but we've got to look how to use him. He's still learning his trade and doing it well downstairs."

He is. McCullum's most successful batting position in one-day cricket is No 8 and No 9 where he has scored a combined 338 runs at an average greater than 40. His total average in ODIs is a tick more than 20.

But that's not to say McCullum won't have a top-order role in the future.

"Possibly, but it's hard to say five years from now when Nathan and myself are pushed aside or have had our time," Fleming said. "But he will have a stronger role to play."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY