Chris Rattue: Brilliant batting by 'Baz' deserves plaudits

Brendon McCullum, right, celebrates his double ton with Kane Williamson. In tests during this calendar year the New Zealand captain has a triple century and two doubles. Photo / AP

Brendon "Baz" McCullum - you are a legend. Frustrating maybe, but a genuine legend.

The New Zealand cricketers are, according to reports, deeply affected by Phillip Hughes' death and played on against Pakistan unwillingly. The series in the United Arab Emirates was strange enough anyway, taking place in what looked like near-empty vehicles just landed on an eerie planet by characters wearing tight skivvies.

The atmosphere at the grounds has been so hollow it makes untrusty rusty Eden Park appear like a rollicking theme park.

There has been an avalanche of runs in the UAE, accompanied by the sounds of people breathing, or when it gets really exciting, opening their lunch.

It is also way out of our time zone.

I have polled people on how much they have watched, and the basic reply is "snippets".

In this case, snippets means maybe a 10 to 12 minute burst, and a couple of briefer follow-ups. Thus, McCullum's latest brilliant double century has gone kind of un-noticed.

McCullum's career is among the most confusing of any in New Zealand sport. He can rip attacks up like no one else anywhere.

He must have been born with amazing hand-eye co-ordination, and has built on this really well, or not so well depending on who you talk to. McCullum has, had, the potential to be celebrated the length and breadth of the land, in a way that hasn't quite happened.

And yet ... in tests during this calendar year, he has a triple century, and two doubles.

A TRIPLE CENTURY AND TWO DOUBLES. JEEEEEZ.

His overall average in 2014 is around 65, yes 65. But he did not pass 50 in any of the other 12 innings when he averages about 20.

Therein likes the conundrum.

McCullum's is one of those sports careers that is hard to categorise. For this punter, it has reached the point where the highs trump his lows.

He is a batting freak - his extraordinary is so extraordinary.

Gestures not appropriate
Phillip Hughes' Australian one day international number is retired. Elton John has dedicated a song during a concert to Hughes, the former New South Wales turned South Australian batsman who was fatally injured during a game last week, and Sean Abbott, the poor NSW bowler.

There's something called a "putoutyourbats" campaign.

New Zealand players etched PH on their caps.

Gestures are important, but I'm not sure that any of the above provide comfort or healing, or are really appropriate. But people feel the need to do something. Here's the question: will cricket - when the time is right - conduct the necessary inquiry to at least determine if safety measures and equipment are as good as they should be?

This is an extraordinary situation, a tragedy, for certain. But heartbreak and tragedy are part of life, and life goes on. Professional sport has a tendency towards self-importance, aided by a monster PR machine.

Cricket needs to get on with cricket as soon as it can, and leave the grief and how to deal with it to those who are really grieving. I fear this may be heading somewhere else.

3 other things in sport

For the record
The All Blacks' record looks even better, with Wales tipping over South Africa. Not only do the All Blacks maintain winning ways in the Northern Hemisphere, but they even score tries.

Fading forwards
On the other hand, how did Michael Cheika's Australia - hapless in Europe - get so close to beating the All Blacks? One answer: their powderpuff forwards fade over the long haul.

Luck of the Irish
Shock, horror! New Zealand A posted a reasonable score but were beaten by Ireland in a 50 overs cricket game in the UAE. Maybe they missed Jesse Ryder's bowling.