As we look ahead to our home fixture this weekend against Derbyshire Falcons, we thought we’d take a look back at when we played them in 2015, which was an unforgettable days for all Bears fans with McCullum’s masterpiece…
When Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum, one of the most destructive batsmen in world T20, made his Birmingham Bears home debut, against Derbyshire Falcons, expectations were sky-high.
Expectations like that can be a big burden. But not for McCullum. He exceeded them. When the Falcons won the toss, they chose to bowl, aiming to disappoint the big home crowd by getting McCullum early. It didn’t work out that way! The Kiwis’ captain unfurled not just one of the biggest innings in NatWestT20Blast history but one of the very best.
He smashed an unbeaten 158 which came from just 64 balls and included 13 fours and 11 sixes. It was an innings of immense power and clean-hitting but, above all, real class. There was no slogging. Just intelligent pasting of the bowlers.
McCullum advanced to 50 in 23 balls and 100 in 42 before taking just another 18 balls to reach 150. His onslaught lifted the Bears to 242 for two, their highest T20 total, and set up a 60-run victory, their second-highest in the competition. Truly a day to remember.
Come down to Edgbaston THIS Sunday
Watch the Bears vs Derbyshire Falcons – gates open at 12.30pm when our Kids Zone also opens, with the action on the pitch starting at 2.30pm. Remember, kids go FREE (but they’ll need a ticket) and advanced adult tickets are just £19 (£23 on the day!)
