At times McCullum looked slightly removed from the game, Kane Williamson appearing to step up in more of an on-field leadership role. But Hesson said the captain is relishing the prospect of a final hurrah against the Aussies.
"He's had a bad back for a long time so I don't think popping pills is unusual on game days for some guys.
"When you don't play for a month and stand around three and a half hours and dive (in the field) it's going to hurt, but he got through allright."
Williamson's right forearm received treatment yesterday but ice and standard treatments have had it settle down.
Of the three injured frontliners, seamer Tim Southee (bruised foot) is on track for a comeback in a Plunket Shield game for Northern Districts against Central Districts in Napier starting on Friday.
That will be his skinny preparation for a hoped-for return in time for the first Australian test, starting at the Basin Reserve on February 12. He has got through some bowling at New Zealand's last two training sessions.
Left armer Mitch McClenaghan has had two steel plates inserted into his forehead after his nasty blow above an eye in the ODI in Wellington last week. The hope is he will be back training in a fortnight.
Senior batsman Ross Taylor's side strain is a "wait and see" situation according to Hesson.
He's out of the three Australian ODIs and the plan is to have him training on Febreuary 8 in Hamilton with fingers crossed he would be ready for that first test.
"In the next few days we'll get an indication," Hesson said.
So are the tests or the world T20 in India next month the priority for Taylor?
"When Ross is back he'll be fit and available, but obviously test cricket is a big fillip for us."
