McCullum likely to play as top order bat for Kiwis in India tour - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum is likely be granted his wish of batting in the top order in Tests during next month's tour of India. New Zealand selector Mark Greatbatch said that McCullum might bat at No. 3 behind openers Tim McIntosh and B.J. Watling. "We've had a discussion with Brendon about where he'd like to bat and he wants to bat high," the Dominion Post quoted Greatbatch, as saying. "He averaged nearly 50 in test cricket last season batting six or seven, but obviously he's changing tack in the longer version as a batter only and he wants to make an impact. I think you'll see him near the top," he added. McCullum had earlier said that he wanted to open for New Zealand in Tests after deciding earlier this year to quit his wicket-keeping role. "I wouldn't play conventionally. There's a lot of aggressive Test openers around now. It's probably something we haven't really looked at," McCullum had said. "I'm not saying It's going to work, but I'm going to give it everything I've got to try and make it work," he added. McCullum averages 34.90 from 52 tests, and 40 from five innings batting at No 3. His previous Test innings at three was 71 against England in Nottingham in 2008.