Cricket: The gloves are off - Rixon

When former Black Caps coach Steve Rixon heard Brendon McCullum mention the phrase "not enjoying" in relation to wicket-keeping before the Australian test series, he knew New Zealand would soon be looking for a new gloveman.

McCullum's decision last week has roused robust debate and some irrational outpourings.

The statistics show his performances with and without the gloves are mixed. Certainly McCullum is the best wicketkeeper in the country, but Mark Greatbatch and others, such as Roger Mortimer, manager of individual player's plans, have not been able to talk him around.

Rixon advised McCullum not to make a decision immediately but suspects he has now given wicket-keeping away.

"The disappointing part is how good he was. He would have been in the top three [keepers] in the world but there's no one who can change his mind. In Brendon's defence, there's no point trying to kid yourself by manufacturing enjoyment, otherwise you'll give the game away."

McCullum turns 29 in September and will be mindful of the repetitive strain injuries suffered behind the stumps. There's only so much jarring of the hand bones and the palms that a player can take.

Then there is the business of crouching to 540 deliveries a day, be it 20 paces back or up against the stumps. A wicket-keeper is also required to do his share of motivating troops in distant outposts such as long leg and deep extra cover. Fresh material is hard to come by.

"It equates to nothing if you don't enjoy the job and it becomes a chore," Rixon says.

"Brendon's capable of being a top six batsman in all brands of cricket, so don't force him to make a hard decision. I'm sure it's not the case but he may decide to move on. You wouldn't want to put him under that sort of pressure.

"He's an outstanding player who has the ability to change the direction of a match. Few players have that skill, especially in New Zealand where there's not a massive amount of individual talent to work with."

Otago chief executive and former provincial wicketkeeper Ross Dykes is furious at the public reaction.

"It's almost as if Brendon has become a villain. Apart from being a fine cricketer and our best ever one-day wicket-keeper, he's probably the least selfish of the top cricketers I've come across.

"He's been keeping at first-class level for about 10 years and the question has to be asked if his body is capable of carrying on. Everyone only assumes it is. Whatever it takes to keep him in the game is to NZ cricket's benefit."

Statistics indicate McCullum would be best advised to give the gloves up in tests to begin with.

Keepers who have played as specialist test batsmen, such as Alec Stewart and Kumar Sangakkara, clearly perform better. That will give McCullum heart as he attempts to gain credibility in the longer form.