Brendon McCullum's stunning 158 not out off 64 balls in 2015 has been voted 'Best Bears T20 Innings' by fans.
Many thrilling knocks have been unfurled by Bears batters in the format over the years, but there was no keeping McCullum’s sensational knock, on his home debut against Derbyshire, from the top spot in the fans poll.
McCullum joined the Bears in 2015 off the back of the ICC Cricket World Cup, where he captained New Zealand to the final and he was recognised by many as the most exciting batters in the game. He subsequently helped the Bears to 10 wins in the North Group to secure a return to Finals Day as defending champions.
The Black Caps maestro’s masterpiece saw off an Ian Bell classic in the final, gaining more votes than Bell’s maiden T20 century – a glorious 131 off 62 balls against Northants Steelbacks at Edgbaston in 2018.
McCullum and Bell were pitted against each other in the final having polled more votes than two other great T20 knocks in the semi-finals.
Bell’s innings edged out Adam Hose’s dazzling 119 off 64 balls against Northants Steelbacks at Edgbaston in the last group match of 2020.
McCullum’s 158 came out on top against Will Porterfield’s crucial unbeaten 81 off 47 balls against Surrey in the semi-final on Finals Day at Edgbaston in 2014.
Porterfield’s highly-skilled knock under pressure, which paved the way for the Bears to lift the trophy later that day, took some topping, but McCullum’s 158, with its 13 fours and 11 sixes, was unbeatable.
