Born in 1981 in Dunedin, New Zealand, Brendon grew up in a cricket-loving family. His father, Stuart, played for Otago, a domestic New Zealand cricket team, and his elder brother, Nathan, also represented New Zealand at the international level.

He made his international debut for New Zealand in 2002 in an ODI against Australia. His potential was evident from the start, especially with his wicket-keeping skills and his bold batting style, which offered New Zealand a fresh, high-octane approach in a conservative era of cricket.

Brendon McCullum | Baz

Nicknamed “Baz,”, Brendon was a prolific batsman known for his fearless and inventive style, often pioneering what many would call “Bazball” — a relentless, high-pressure batting approach.

He was renowned for attacking even the most skilled bowlers with a wide array of shots, including powerful drives, cuts, and the occasional scoop.

His natural flair was most evident in T20 cricket, where his aggressive style made him a sought-after player in leagues worldwide, including the IPL, where he famously scored a 158 in the inaugural match for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008, setting the stage for the T20 format’s global appeal.

Brendon McCullum | NZ Captaincy

Brendon took over the captaincy of New Zealand in 2013, a move which made a significant change to New Zealand cricket . Under his leadership, the Black Caps began to play a fearless brand of cricket, which focused on playing hard without crossing the lines of sportsmanship.

Brendon’s leadership style inspired teammates to play freely, make aggressive choices, and support each other, a philosophy that resonated deeply with fans and players alike. One of his most celebrated achievements as captain was leading New Zealand to the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. 

Brendon McCullum | Media and Coaching

Brendon retired from playing in 2018 and he quickly transitioned to working in media, commentary, and coaching roles. He soon worked for Sky Sports New Zealand, Star Sport and Fox Cricket.

In 2020, Brendon took on his first coaching position with Indian team Kolkata Knight Riders, with his appointment as Head Coach for England coming in 2022.

In collaboration with Test captain Ben Stokes, Brendon introduced his aggressive playing philosophy to England. Under his guidance, England has achieved numerous landmark victories, and his tactical influence has been credited with bringing a new vitality to a team that had struggled to find consistency.

Brendon McCullum | CricHQ

CricHQ is a cricket competition management software and live scoring platform which was co-founded by Brendon. It is one of the world’s largest digital platforms for cricket.

The software is used by the administration of cricket test countries like New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, with 49 of the 105 national governing bodies using it, as well as 350 associations and thousands of leagues.

Brendon McCullum | Speaker

As a speaker, Brendon draws on his playing career as captain of the New Zealand team as well as his experience as Head Coach of England.

– Leadership in sport

– Building a business

– Performance mindset  

– Horse racing

– Golf

 Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Brendon McCullum, former NZ cricketer and England head coach, for your next event.  Contact us.