McCullum could bid adieu to wicket keeping gloves

Wellington, Mar. 23 (ANI): New Zealand wicketkeeper/batsman Brendon McCullum could bid adieu to wicket keeping gloves after the second cricket test against Australia.

McCullum hit his fifth century as New Zealand stretched the first test into the fifth day before losing by 10 wickets at the Basin Reserve.

After departing loosely for 24 in the first innings, he scored 104 in 229 minutes and 187 balls as the hosts posted a respectable 407.

"I was pleased with how I adjusted my game from the way I played in the first innings to try and give us an opportunity," Stuff.co.nz quoted McCullum, as saying.

"Against a very good team it probably rates as my best test century but when you lose a game it doesn't quite have the same feeling," he added.

As he mulls over the loss against Australia, he may decide to play as a batsman only.

Recently, in the one-dayers against Australia, he fielded and Gareth Hopkins took the gloves, and the practice appears likely to continue in next month's Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

"We've got a few months coming up that we've got off, so it's something we've got to try and weigh up during that down time. At the moment I'm very much focused on making sure I make a contribution in this test match as a wicketkeeper/batsman," he said.

However, Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori prefers the gloves to remain with McCullum.

"It's a tough one and Brendon and I have had a number of discussions about it. The emergence of Gareth Hopkins on the limited overs will make the decision a little bit easier if it oes go that way," he said

"I still think Brendon's one of the best wicketkeeper/batsmen in the world. If we can get him for all forms of the game then that'd be great."

"I also understand that in one-dayers and Twenty20 his runs are the most important thing to us. If that's the best thing for the team I'll support it," he added. (ANI)