McCullum's leadership lauded

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has won a spirit of cricket award in England for his captaincy on the Black Caps' tour where the tourists drew a Test series and lost the limited-overs formats.

McCullum, who recently showed a different side to his batting by wearing a helmet camera during a charity match at The Oval, was awarded the CMJ Spirit of Cricket Award by the Marylebone Cricket Club, owner of the Lord's cricket ground.

McCullum wears a helmet camera for charity

McCullum received the CMJ Spirit of Cricket Award for professional cricketers, named for the respected English cricket journalist Christopher Martin-Jenkins who died in 2013.

The latest honour comes after he was earlier this month recognised as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to cricket by the New Zealand government.

New Zealand and McCullum have won many fans around the world for their fearless but fair-minded style of play throughout 2015, including their dream run as co-hosts of the World Cup to the final where they lost to Australia.

McCullum was praised for his "leadership qualities and the culture of fair play that his team displayed" on their tour.

England and the Black Caps split the Test series 1-1; the hosts winning the first by 124 runs as McCullum was bowled for a first-ball duck in the second innings before New Zealand hit back to win the second Test at Headingley by 199 runs.

In an entertaining one-day series, England passed 400 for the first time and then successfully chased 350 as they won the five-match series 3-2, with two matches decided on the Duckworth-Lewis system.

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England then won the one-off Twenty20 match before hosting Australia in a see-sawing Ashes contest.

"Brendon McCullum’s conduct throughout the New Zealand tour earlier this year embodied the ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’ message that MCC champions through the Spirit of Cricket," MCC President David Morgan said.

BBC broadcaster and award judge Jonathan Agnew added: "Brendon's example is one that should be followed by everyone that plays the game. He has demonstrated time and again a determination to play cricket in the proper, respectful manner even at the top level when the stakes are at their highest."

Popular with England audiences, McCullum was signed on as a columnist for UK tabloid Daily Mail, and used his new platform to launch a string of attacks on Australia during the Ashes.

McCullum singled out David Warner who was seen not applauding as Joe Root celebrated a century in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.

The pair posted a humorous photo on social media after the series mocking their past history of run-ins.

McCullum also took aim at new Australia captain Steve Smith for his role in the controversial Ben Stokes dismissal in the second ODI at Lord's, saying Smith had "shown his immaturity" and had "missed a great opportunity to strike a blow for the spirit of cricket".

McCullum was speaking from experience, citing his run-out of Muthiah Muralidaran in a Test match as he celebrated teammate Kumar Sangakkara's century.

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McCullum was rested from New Zealand's one-day series in Africa but will lead the Black Caps in the three-Test series against Australia this summer, including the historic first-ever day-night Test match in Adelaide.

Australia v New Zealand fixtures

He will also feature in the KFC Big Bash League, having reprised his relationship with the Brisbane Heat, who will be coached by fellow New Zealander Daniel Vettori with Shane Bond as the team's bowling coach.