Brendon McCullum got a fitting farewell on Monday, when he led New Zealand to a thumping victory over Australia in the third and final ODI of the series.
This was the last time McCullum will appear in ODIs for Black Caps. As expected, McCullum gave it a 100 percent in his final ODI, before bidding adieu to the 50-over format of the game on Monday.
McCullum gave New Zealand the kind of start they were looking for, after the home team were put into bat by Australia. His innings of 47 runs from just 27 balls proved to be really crucial. The swashbuckling batsman added 84 runs in just 9.3 overs with Martin Guptill at the top of the order.
McCullum will be remembered for his attacking batting display and the kind of reforms he brought in the New Zealand team. The Kiwis are a completely different side from a few years ago, largely due to McCullum's leadership skills.
McCullum was also given a Guard of Honour by the Australian players when he stepped on to the field to bat for the last time in his ODI career, a career in which he scored 6083 runs.
Gutpill and Grant Elliott scored a half-century each, and while rest of the New Zealand batting lineup did not last for too long, the Kiwis managed a total of 246.
The Australia batsmen looked confident right from the start, until they lost their first wicket in the form of David Warner. Usman Khawaja top scored for the Aussies with 44 runs, but no other batsmen could withstand the pressure exerted by New Zealand bowlers during the third ODI on Monday.
The Aussies were bundled out for a meagre total of 191. Corey Anderson, Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi ran through the Australian batting order.
However, Mitchell Marsh's dismissal sparked a controversy. Marsh tried to hit one off Matt Henry and it hit his boot and bounced back to the bowler. Henry made a half-hearted appeal but the umpire did not give it out until the big screen on the ground showed that it actually hit Marsh's boot, leading to the all-rounder being given out for 41.
Hightlights of McCullum's last ODI innings:
Highlights of the 1st innings:
