KEY POINTS:
Brendon McCullum's one-day international career is on the verge of returning to where it all began, somewhat inauspiciously, at the Sydney Cricket Ground almost five years ago.
McCullum, who has played 88 matches so far, started his career at the top of the order with an equally unlikely candidate, Mark Richardson, in the memorable Tri-Series in 2001-02 and again finds himself at the head of a queue ready to enter New Zealand Cricket's revolving door marked "Opening Batsmen".
McCullum, who was run out by a sluggish Richardson for five in his debut against Australia, averaged 17.75 from four innings as an opener before finding his niche lower down the order after inheriting the gloves from Adam Parore.
The first-choice wicketkeeper ever since, McCullum has built an impressive reputation as an inventive power hitter, adept at either chasing down targets or whacking quickfire runs at the death.
Although he is clearly an integral part of the mid-to-lower order, he is about to leave his comfort zone - and relinquish the gloves - as New Zealand plots for March's World Cup in the Caribbean.
That process takes a significant step at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tonight when McCullum opens the batting in the first of two Twenty20 slog fests against Sri Lanka, and uncapped Northern Districts' Peter McGlashan takes his place behind the stumps.
Coach John Bracewell's masterplan sees McGlashan introduced to build depth in a specialist position, a policy the ultra-competitive McCullum understood.
"I like to be playing but I'm realistic for the need to play someone else with the gloves on," he said.
"We have to create depth in all areas or we could be weak at the World Cup time if we have someone fall over."
But rather than rest on the sidelines as key players such as Daniel Vettori are rotated, McCullum has initially been given a chance to cement the contentious opening berth alongside Stephen Fleming.
"I'll still be doing a bit of keeping and taking the opportunity to work with another keeper in the environment, but the focus is my batting and trying to score runs at the top of the order," he said.
McCullum has not faced the new white ball since playing South Africa at Adelaide in January 2002, but the role is not totally unfamiliar, as he opened the batting for Glamorgan during a brief stint in the English county circuit during the New Zealand winter.
"It was good fun," he said. "I swanned around the outfield and threw the arm out a few times. It'll be a nice challenge to see how I go in the field."
But he is more concerned with proving his worth as an opener and replacing the likes of Lou Vincent - who opened during last month's Champions Trophy - on a permanent basis.
"With such an important period coming up in New Zealand cricket this summer it's a great opportunity to advance your game."
One challenge McCullum faces is adapting a strategy he has finessed as a No 7.
"Previously I've had a pretty clear game plan of trying to clear the fence towards the end so you pick at the areas you're most strongest at and work on them," he said.
"But as you come up the order you need to work on different scoring areas. It probably involves a bit more skill and a little bit more craft as well."
While there will be a degree of reinvention required, on a positive note McCullum was happy at the prospect of having more overs at his disposal and launching his assault with the fielding restrictions in place.
"There's an opportunity to free the arms and have a bit more of a go without the fielders sitting out by the boundary.
"I'm looking forward to giving that a go."
McCULLUM MILESTONES
Debut
January 17, 2002, v Australia
50th dismissal
January 7, 2004, v Pakistan
1000th ODI run
December 10, 2005, v Australia
100th dismissal
December 31, 2005, v Sri Lanka
High score: 56*
January 7, 2004, v Pakistan
- NZPA
