Dazzling Baz: Five Numbers That Sum Up The Genius of Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum changed the face of New Zealand cricket. This is what Trent Boult admitted ahead of the Christchurch Test. One look at McCullum's numbers across formats and the dominance of McCullum is evident. Ahead of his final international match, here is a look at the numbers which shall be associated with this dashing batsman for a long time. (Brendon McCullum Focused on Winning Against Australia, Not Retirement)

302 - In New Zealand's Test history, no batsman had entered the 300 club. It was one milestone that was pricking every New Zealand player, considering the highest individual score in Tests was 299 by Martin Crowe against Sri Lanka. However, on February 18 2014, McCullum created history by achieving something which every New Zealand player wanted.

He cut Zaheer Khan past gully to notch up his maiden triple century and New Zealand's first. The capacity crowd at the Basin Reserve was on their feet. His effort had helped the team escape from a calamitous position and clinch a draw. This also helped them win a Test series against India for the first time in 12 years. McCullum's name was etched in the history books on that day.

1164 - McCullum's zenith was 2014 when he smashed 1164 runs in nine Tests at an average of 72.75. He was in the zone that year, blasting oppositions, rescuing the team and leading from the front. Scores of 224, 302, 202 and 195 sum up the brilliance of the batsman in contrasting situations.

His 224 against India in Auckland set up a famous win, his 302 in the next Test became etched in history books for so many reasons, his 202 against Pakistan was brilliant amidst a cricketing world that was devastated by the death of Phillip Hughes and his 195 against Sri Lanka in Christchurch in a Boxing Day Test gave the fans at Hagley Oval, the new venue, an unforgettable moment. Each knock was a hallmark of McCullum's amazing power.

116 - In Twenty20 Internationals in this current decade, this number is small. However, in its infancy, it was a big deal. From 2007 till 2010, only Chris Gayle had a century in this format. On February 28, 2010, McCullum fittingly joined the list. Against Australia, he unleashed an array of strokes and power-hitting which left audiences thrilled and dumbstruck with awe. Several unbelievable shots, including two lap scoops which went for six of Shaun Tait, who bowled over 155 kmph, drove the capacity crowd to delirium in Christchurch. His 56-ball 116 included 12 fours and eight sixes and it demonstrated the audacity of McCullum

100 - For a milestone man, this number is special in a lot of ways. For McCullum, it highlights his brilliance. He is the first and only cricketer to have played 100 Test matches without missing a single match. He is only the second cricketer after Adam Gilchrist to have hit 100 sixes in Tests. He is also the only cricketer to have hit 100 sixes in Tests and 200 sixes in ODIs. In this era of power-hitting, McCullum clearly rules the roost.

158 - The Indian Premier League changed the landscape of world cricket and credit must go to McCullum. In the first match of the tournament in April 2008, he blasted 158 off 73 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore. His knock included 10 fours and 13 sixes and it paved the way for the tournament to be a huge success.

His score remained the highest individual score in Twenty20s before Gayle blasted 175 off 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sahara Pune Warriors in 2013.