Black Caps skipper recognised with ONZM following country's unprecedented run to World Cup final
McCullum honoured for services to cricket
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has been recognised as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to cricket.
McCullum and Black Caps coach Mike Hesson, also an ONZM, along with Cricket World Cup boss Dame Therese Walsh, were honoured at an investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington on Thursday.
It followed the side's charge to its first Cricket World Cup final in the tournament co-hosted by New Zealand earlier this year, as well as unprecedented Test match success throughout 2014.
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The run to the World Cup final, which ultimately fell one hurdle short at the hands of co-hosts Australia, captured the attention of the sports-mad nation.
McCullum said the honour was "incredibly humbling".
"When you are presented with an opportunity like this then you are very mindful of who has gone before and all those who will be here in the future... and (you) respectfully accept those things."
McCullum, who turns 34 later this month, insists he is not yet talking retirement, having committed to New Zealand Cricket for the next 12 months or so.
"We'll see what happens after that," he added.
Walsh was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sports administration after her work organising the tournament co-hosted with Australia.
She was also a key figure in co-ordinating the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand travel across the Tasman next month ahead of a three-Test series against Australia, with the opening match beginning on November 5 at the Gabba.
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The series will be a history-making one in that it will incorporate the first-ever day-night Test match, to be played at the Adelaide Oval from November 27.
It will be the Kiwis’ first Test tour of Australia since 2010, when a two-match series finished one-all.
The Australians will then play a two-Test series in New Zealand next February.
The Black Caps will announce their squad for the tour tomorrow (Friday).