Nathan McCullum retiring at end of New Zealand season
Friday 30 October 2015 19:06, UK
Nathan McCullum will retire from international cricket at the end of New Zealand's season to spend more time with his family.
McCullum, the elder brother of former New Zealand captain Brendon, told coach Mike Hesson of his decision at a meeting where he also agreed to mentor the country's young spinners, including Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Stander.
He has been a regular member of New Zealand's limited overs squads, playing 84 one-day internationals and 61 Twenty20 matches, but has not made a Test appearance.
"I don't want to make a big song and dance about it, but it's time to start thinking about the next phase of my life," McCullum told the New Zealand Herald.
"I've got the sense that the end of this season is the right time to call it quits in international cricket.
"It's been hard work for my wife Vanessa in the past five years. She's spent a lot of it pregnant and has had to do it on her own most of the time.
"It's time for me to start investing time in my family and being there for dinners and helping the boys with their homework."
As for his future role, he added: "We've got to get these guys up to speed and I'm looking forward to playing a mentoring role there."
