New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum bids adieu to the game after playing 101 consecutive Test matches at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. NZ lost the match as Australia won the Christchurch Test by seven wickets. But, he is not disappointed, McCullum said that he would celebrate the moment with a couple of beers with his teammates.

McCullum is the first New Zealand batsman to score triple hundred in Test cricket and brought spectators to the game. Cricket is not a first choice game in New Zealand. Rugby makes a crowd go gung-ho. But, McCullum made cricket as popular as Rugby with an aggressive brand of cricket and surpassed years of mediocrity. Now, at the time of McCullum’s retirement the entire cricket world acknowledged his contribution to the game.

New Zealand’s first legend Sir Richard Hadlee said that retiring captain Brendon McCullum has made a huge contribution to the game.

The master blaster Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the Bazz and regarded him as the best ever front foot player who played the game. McCullum’s extraordinary reflection and strong front foot helped him to hit any fast bowler for six going a few step down at the crease. What former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly used to do with the spinners, Brendon McCullum often did to the fast bowler like Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn and Mitchell Starc.

Head held high you walk into retirement, Baz. Congrats on the fantastic career. Ever on the front foot to entertain. Enjoyed watching you!

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 24, 2016

Congratulations Brendon McCullum on a fantastic career, very good player, even better bloke.

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) February 24, 2016

What a way to end one’s career,scoring a 54 ball 100only #BrendonMcCullum can do thatTake a bow mateWishing u a fulfilling retirement

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 21, 2016

What more can you about Brendon McCullum? Fastest ever Test century in his final Test – truly great #NZvAUS https://t.co/sbOhaOSIR4

— Lord’s Ground (@HomeOfCricket) February 20, 2016

Congrats to Brendon McCullum on a wonderful international career. One of the most entertaining batsmen to watch in this era. #ThankYouBaz

— Manoj Tiwary (@tiwarymanoj) February 24, 2016

Earlier, cricket word lauded McCullum’s fastest Test century in the first innings of the Christchurch Test. He completed the ton in 54 balls that broke the joint highest record of Misbah-ul-Haq and Vivian Richards. West Indies great Vivian Richards usher praised on him and said, he is a great fan of Brendon McCullum. “I’ve been a great fan of yours for many years.”

McCullum scored 145 off 79 balls in the first innings and 25 in the second innings. His hundred drew accolades from legends like Mahela Jayawardene and Michael Vaughan.

McCullum came to bat at the crease after the fall of three wickets in the first hour of the match. But, he coming at No. 5, played a blitzkrieg innings that was far different innings than any other retiring stars would play, as many struggled in their penultimate international inning.

Great knock by Brendon McCullum on his last test match. Love the way he plays cricket,Simple and to his strength. Well done mate.

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) February 20, 2016

Who said what: Cricket legends including Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to McCullum's career

Sudipta Biswas

Leave a comment