Brendon McCullum, New Zealand captain announces retirement

The New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is set to retire from International Cricket.

The 34 years old batsman has confirmed that the two-Test series against Australia in February will be his last, saying 'all good things must come to an end.'

The New Zealand captain's 101st and last test will be the second test against Australia which will be played on his home ground, Christchurch, on February 20.

"I've loved the opportunity to play for and captains the Black Caps. But all good things must come to an end and I'm just grateful for a wonderful experience," McCullum said.

McCullum said there was 'something romantic' about finishing in front of his home crowd and he made the announcement now because his name would be missing when the New Zealand team is named soon for the World Twenty20 in India starting from March 8 to April 3.

Kane Williamson will captain New Zealand at the World Twenty20.

McCullum who maid his test debut against South Africa in 2004 and became captain in all formats in 2013, will become the first batsman to play 100 successive tests when he the Black Caps in the first test against Australia on 12 February at Wellington.

The former wicketkeeper has been crucial to the Black Caps' run of seven tests unbeaten until recent defeat to Australia, become the first New Zealander to score a triple century when he reached 302 against India in February 2014.

He also lead New Zealand to their first World Cup final earlier this year, where they were lost to Australia.

Under his stewardship New Zealand have won 11 and drawn 11 of 31 tests.

His ODI record is a New Zealand best at 59.43 percent, which included taking his side to World Cup final.

In 99 tests, he has scored a total of 6,172 runs, along with 11 centuries and is second after Stephen Flemming.

The right hander has scored 5,909 runs in 254 one day internationals, with five hundreds and 31 fifties and is the only player to score two international hundreds in Twenty20 cricket.