McCullum keen to take up opening slot for WC
New Zealand have had problems at the top of the order in the last while and captain Brendon McCullum has given the strongest possible hint that he could take up the responsibility – if it's to benefit of the team.
McCullum, who is being rested for the current five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE, has admitted that getting the right personnel for the opening slot has been a problem.
A host of players have been tried in the last two series, against South Africa and Pakistan. Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham were given first rights against the Proteas, then Anton Devcich and Dean Brownlie started the series in the UAE, all with mixed results.
McCullum told RadioLive: "I've said all the way through my career, I'll do whatever the team requires. If we're being honest, that (opening) is probably the best thing for the team right now."
With the World Cup starting on home soil less than two months away, McCullum has no qualms about facing the new ball at the showpiece event, even if the conditions will be helpful to the pace-bowlers and the ball swings more upfront.
McCullum did open the batting in the recent Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, and seemed to enjoy it, and also does the job in T20 internationals.
He said: "I'll take on that challenge if it is presented (at the World Cup). There's a bit of water to go under the bridge in terms of team selection and makeup but I'm certainly not against it."
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