McCullum eyes quick getaway

Brendon McCullum launches for six against England at Christchurch last winter

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Brendon McCullum returns to the scene of his defeat of England 12 months ago when New Zealand face West Indies in Christchurch.

McCullum’s superb 77 from 43 balls was the catalyst as the Black Caps comprehensively outplayed England to win their one-day match by 34 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method - a result that would have been less flattering for the tourists had rain not intervened.

Opening partner Jesse Ryder was left to play second fiddle to McCullum as they put on 103 runs in 11.2 overs.

New Zealand return to the AMI Stadium tomorrow and this time it is the Windies who will be wary of allowing McCullum, or Ryder for that matter, to get into their stride.

West Indies’ bowlers have yet to face the pair in the one-day series after the opening match was abandoned because of rain 35.4 overs into the tourists’ innings, but they have an inkling of what to expect following the second Twenty20 international in Hamilton last month.

There, Ryder smashed 62 off 41 balls and McCullum 59 off 34 as New Zealand set West Indies a stiff target of 192 and went on to win by 36 runs and tie the series.

McCullum insisted there was no set plan the two openers followed.

“If we can do what we did last year and we can do it consistently well then it’s going to allow our stroke-makers and boundary hitters down the order a chance to express themselves later on in the game,” he said.

“We don’t tend to complicate it too much. We are both instinctive players and I think we do feed off each other.

“If one of us gets going then it almost gives the other confidence to attack as well,” the 27-year-old wicketkeeper added.

“It seems in the short period of time so far that we've opened the innings when we both get away to a decent start, we can be quite destructive.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's crease occupation has taken its toll with a hand injury

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“That’s not always going to work because the way we play means it's going to have its lull periods as well.

“But it’s certainly a positive step forward to have two guys who are looking to try and take the initiative and take it to the opposition. I think it`s a real strength in our line-up at the moment.”

Captain Chris Gayle is probably the only player in the West Indies line-up who could match McCullum and Ryder in the power-hitting stakes.

And McCullum admitted the New Zealanders had been fortunate to see the back of the tall left-hander early in the washed-out match in Queenstown when he was given out caught behind, although he appeared not to have hit the ball.

“He got one that was a bit 50-50. He’s an amazing player and he’s come here and really dominated so far this series,” McCullum added.

“We know we’ve got to try and remove him early to negate his strengths.”

There is still doubt surrounding Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s inclusion for tomorrow’s game.

The indomitable Guyanese batsman missed the match in Queenstown with a hand injury caused by batting for long periods and did not train with the team today.

The problem has caused the 238-match veteran discomfort since the Test in Napier, where he scored an unbeaten 126, and coach John Dyson said the team’s physio was working to minimise the sore areas in the webbing and muscles at the base of the thumb and index finger to allow Chanderpaul to exert full pressure on the bat.