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Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum played the role of match-winner for the second game running as he secured a last-ball victory for New Zealand in their Twenty20 international against India in Wellington.

McCullum had steered the Black Caps to a win in the opening game and ensured they swept the series 2-0 when, with scores tied, he just managed to cross-bat an Irfan Pathan delivery over the in-field for the winning single.

In pursuit of India's sub-par total of 149 for six, after New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and chose to bowl, McCullum exhibited another piece of measured batting after his unbeaten 50 in the opening game on Wednesday.

His unbeaten 69 off 55 balls complimented Jesse Ryder's brutal 26 off 15 as the home side got off to a flyer, before they showed the necessary composure to creep past the tourists' total.

Highlights

- Brendon McCullum (69 not out) registered his career-best score in Twenty20 Internationals, eclipsing his 61 not out against Australia at Sydney on February 15, 2009.

- McCullum became the first batsman to register four fifties in a row - 59 vs. West Indies at Hamilton; 61 vs.Australia at Sydney; 56 not out vs. India at Christchurch and 69 not out vs. India at Wellington.

- Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum put on 53 for the first wicket - New Zealand's best for the first wicket against India, surpassing the 11 between Lou Vincent and McCullum at Johannesburg on September 16, 2007.

- McCullum, Matthew Hayden and Gautam Gambhir now share the record for most fifties (4) in Twenty20 Internationals.

- McCullum got his second MOM award - both in succession against India in the just concluded series.

Profile

Name: Brendon Barrie McCullum

Date of Birth: September 27, 1981

Batting Style: Right-handed batsman

Fielding position: Wicketkeeper

Batting Averages