Brendon McCullum, the pioneer of ‘Bazball’ in Test cricket, was once one of the most destructive batters in the game. No one can forget his explosive performances as the captain of the New Zealand Cricket Team during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. McCullum ushered in a new era of modern-day cricket. His approach to the game was fresh, exciting, and entertaining. He has carried that same philosophy into his coaching career, now serving as the Head Coach of the England Cricket Team.
Biography
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brendon Barrie McCullum |
| Nickname | Baz |
| Date of Birth | September 27, 1981 |
| Age | 43 years |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.71 m) |
| Birthplace | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Education | King’s High School, South Dunedin |
| Role | Wicket-keeper batter |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Jersey Number | #42 (ODI & T20I) |
| Net Worth | US$9 Million |
Early Life and Education
Brendon McCullum grew up in Dunedin, where cricket was his passion from a young age. He attended King’s High School in South Dunedin, where his natural talent for cricket became obvious and he developed the aggressive batting style that would later make him famous across the globe.
Age & Height
Brendon McCullum is 43 years old in 2025. He is still quite fit and athletic. McCullum is 5 feet 7 inches tall. Despite that he managed to hit towering sixes in his cricketing career. His aggressive approach of coming towards the fast bowlers was just amazing to watch.
Similar: Ben Stokes Biography
International Debut and Jersey Number
McCullum’s international journey began early:
- ODI Debut: January 17, 2002, against Australia (Cap #126)
- Test Debut: March 10, 2004, against South Africa (Cap #224)
- T20I Debut: February 17, 2005, against Australia (Cap #5)
He proudly wore jersey number 42 for New Zealand in international matches.
Complete Career Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 101 | 176 | 6453 | 302 | 38.64 | 64.60 | 12 | 31 | 107 |
| ODIs | 260 | 228 | 6083 | 166 | 30.41 | 96.37 | 5 | 32 | 200 |
| T20Is | 71 | 70 | 2140 | 123 | 35.66 | 136.21 | 2 | 13 | 91 |
| First Class | 150 | 261 | 9210 | 302 | 37.13 | – | 17 | 46 | – |
| List A | 309 | 271 | 7373 | 170 | 30.84 | – | 9 | 37 | – |
| T20s | 370 | 364 | 9922 | 158* | 29.97 | 136.49 | 7 | 55 | 485 |
Teams McCullum Played For
McCullum’s career took him around the world. Here’s where he made his mark:
Domestic and International Teams
| Years | Team | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1999/00-2002/03, 2007/08-2014/15 | Otago | Domestic |
| 2003/04-2006/07 | Canterbury | Domestic |
| 2006 | Glamorgan | County Cricket |
| 2008-2010, 2012-2013 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL |
| 2008/09 | New South Wales | Domestic |
| 2010 | Sussex | County Cricket |
| 2011 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | IPL |
| 2011/12-2018/19 | Brisbane Heat | Big Bash League |
| 2014-2015 | Chennai Super Kings | IPL |
| 2015 | Warwickshire | County Cricket |
| 2016-2017 | Gujarat Lions | IPL |
| 2016-2017 | Middlesex | County Cricket |
| 2016-2018 | Trinbago Knight Riders | CPL |
| 2017-2018 | Lahore Qalandars | PSL |
| 2017 | Rangpur Riders | BPL |
| 2018 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | IPL |
| 2018 | Kandahar Knights | APL |
IPL Salary
McCullum’s IPL earnings throughout his career show how valuable he was in T20 cricket:
| Year | Team | Salary (in Crore ₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹3.60 Cr |
| 2017 | Gujarat Lions | ₹5.50 Cr |
| 2016 | Gujarat Lions | ₹3.25 Cr |
| 2015 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹3.25 Cr |
| 2014 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹3.25 Cr |
| 2013 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹4.79 Cr |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹4.52 Cr |
| 2011 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | ₹2.19 Cr |
| 2010 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹3.24 Cr |
| 2009 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹3.44 Cr |
| 2008 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹2.81 Cr |
His highest IPL salary was ₹5.50 crore with Gujarat Lions in 2017, showing his market value even in his late thirties. Over his IPL career from 2008 to 2018, he earned approximately ₹39.62 crore in total.
Coaching Career and Current Salary
After retiring from playing, McCullum moved into coaching:
- Kolkata Knight Riders Head Coach (2020-2022)
- England Men’s Cricket Team Head Coach (2022-present)
His current coaching salary with England is reportedly £2 million per year (approximately ₹18.88 crore), making him one of the highest-paid cricket coaches in the world.
Similar: Devon Conway Biography
Net Worth and Business Ventures
McCullum’s estimated net worth is US$9 million. Beyond cricket, he co-founded CricHQ, a cricket management software company with Simon Baker and Stephen Fleming. The company raised US$10 million from Singapore’s Tembusu Partners in 2015.
Records and Achievements
McCullum holds several cricket records:
- Fastest Test Century: 54 balls (against Australia in 2016)
- First player to score 2000+ T20I runs
- Most sixes in Test cricket by a New Zealand batsman: 107
- Highest individual Test score by a New Zealand batsman: 302
His 302 against India in 2014 was a masterpiece that showcased his ability to play long innings when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Brendon McCullum’s height?
A: Brendon McCullum is 5 feet 7 inches tall (1.71 meters).
Q: How old is Brendon McCullum?
A: He is currently 43 years old, born on September 27, 1981.
Q: Where did McCullum get his education?
A: He attended King’s High School in South Dunedin, New Zealand.
Q: What jersey number did McCullum wear?
A: He wore jersey number 42 for New Zealand.
Q: What is McCullum’s net worth?
A: His estimated net worth is US$9 million.
Q: What is his coaching salary with England?
A: He earns £2 million per year as England’s head coach.
Q: Which teams has McCullum played for?
A: He played for New Zealand internationally and various teams including Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and others in leagues worldwide.
Q: What records does McCullum hold?
A: His most famous record is the fastest Test century (54 balls) and the highest individual Test score by a New Zealand batsman (302).