McCullum covets dual role

Brendon McCullum prepares to cut in his crucial innings of 114 against a Prime Minister's XI at Canberra

New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum is keen not to relinquish one of his duties despite doubts whether he will be fit to keep wicket in the first match of the Chappell-Hadlee series in Perth.

McCullum, who controversially signed to play Twenty20 cricket for New South Wales ahead of this series, has been struggling with a hip injury, but made a much-needed hundred for the Black Caps in a tour match in Canberra this week.

Reserve wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins is standing by to take over behind the stumps against Australia, with Neil Broom and Grant Elliott most likely to make way.

“I'd rather be involved in the series just as a batter than not play at all,” McCullum said.

“That's my role, wicketkeeper-batsman, and when you're not wicketkeeping it does make it harder and does affect our balance.

“But you've got to look at long-term plans as well and I've just got to make sure I'm sensible about what's right and wrong and don't try to force it too much.

“I'm used to trying to operate at a strike rate of 120-130, so to not be able to play like that was a little frustrating.

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“I've been looking for an ugly hundred for a while to try and find the tempo with which I have to bat at. That was the one positive, I wasn't feeling that great but still managed to get through to a score.

“I'm trying to bat a similar way, and if I can get a pitch with more pace and try to find my timing a bit better I'll end up scoring quicker anyway.

“I've got to flick the switch from trying to score 70-80 off 40 balls to make sure I bat 35-40 overs and make a contribution that way."

Australia will look to return to winning ways at the WACA, after enduring their most disappointing Australian summer in almost two decades at the hands of a South Africa side that return home with Test and ODI series wins to their name.

The Proteas finished their tour with a 39-run win at the WACA, that also elevated them above Australia and to the summit of the ICC one-day rankings.

Australia have already enjoyed success against the Kiwis this summer having swept them 2-0 in a Test series in November.

That series win stands out as Australia's only success in the past six months - they also lost a Test series in India - but that is enough to ensure they will go into the Chappell-Hadlee series as favourites.

As well as returning to the winner’s circle, Australia have the added incentive of reclaiming their place at the top of the ODI rankings. A win in Perth is certain to achieve that goal in the short-term.