McCullum to skip upcoming tours in Africa

 

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will skip the limited-overs tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa in August because he’s had an “intense period of cricket dating back to the World Cup,” according to an NZC release. McCullum, however, has committed to leading New Zealand in the home and away series against Australia at the end of 2015 and the 2016 World T20 in March, putting to rest recent speculation that he may give up ODI cricket.

NZC said its annual contracting process will be completed next week and the list of players being offered contracts will be announced on July 1. McCullum has also signed a three-year contract to play for the BBL franchise Brisbane Heat, which is coached by his former New Zealand team-mate Daniel Vettori.