KEY POINTS:
He made the number eight spot in one-day internationals his own, very quickly becoming the best ODI closer in the world. Over time, and after a few failures, he finally made the opener's role his own in the Black Caps' ODI team and, as Adam Gilchrist fades with age, he'll soon be the best at that game too.
While Brendon McCullum's test match batting potential has yet to really develop to the fullest, he is arguably the finest wicketkeeper-batsman in test cricket. He's now batting at five which makes him more a batsman-wicketkeeper and very soon will be unquestionably the best - so long as Kumar Sangakkara keeps the gloves off.
I was not overly keen to see McCullum elevated in ODIs because I believe in the importance of bite in the tail and not just strike power at the top. However, what he has shown of late at the top of the order you simply cannot downplay.
I've not the same reservations when it comes to his elevation to five in test matches.
The difference between batting five or seven in test match cricket is nowhere near as drastic as the difference between opening in ODIs or batting in the lower middle order.
McCullum's success in ODI cricket I put down to the lack of doubt in how he must play: score fast against either a new ball or old ball. In test cricket for some time he has looked a little double-minded. He has juggled the lack of strike-rate pressure with his natural instinct to want to dominate and the thought of what might be said by others should he be dismissed in reckless fashion.
His 97 in the first innings of this current test was a fine example of Brendon McCullum in total equilibrium and an innings from which he should grow more comfortable, confident and clear in his test game.
Where I do have reservations is in the possible discharging of the wicketkeeping duties simply because he is batting in the top six. Having your keeper in the top six provides for options in balance. It allows you to play an extra spinner without weakening the seam bowing unit which is good thing given the Black Caps' disturbing injury record. With McCullum and Jacob Oram hovering around the middle order, it also allows for the blooding of a new player like Daniel Flynn in the more protected areas of six or seven.
McCullum's free-scoring methods were well-suited to seven and batting with the tail but that dynamic has not really changed, with Oram and Daniel Vettori providing experience and fluid play in that role.
Most importantly, however, McCullum should remain wicketkeeping for his psychological wellbeing. He's a livewire who loves being in the action. He's a player who thrives on being in the thick of things and nothing is more in the thick of it than behind the wickets; in play every ball.
I've no doubt McCullum views Adam Gilchrist as a role model, so let him be an Adam Gilchrist - but just a little better because McCullum's batting at five and not hiding at seven.
