McCullum: smoking in toilets during WC win

Former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum has revealed he was unable to watch one of the most famous moments in New Zealand cricket history.

In his newly released biography Declared, McCullum provides a fascinating insight into his team's thrilling World Cup semi-final win over South Africa at Eden Park.

Black Caps made the final of the World Cup for the first time in the most thrilling of circumstances: needing five runs off the final two balls, Grant Elliott hit a six off South Africa superstar Dale Steyn to seal a famous win.

But when television cameras flashed to the Black Caps dressing room during the tense final stages, their captain was nowhere to be seen.

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Instead, McCullum reveals he was "in his usual position" - smoking in the team toilets.

"Early in the tournament, Dale Steyn was quoted as saying: 'If the team needs two wickets, I'll take those wickets. If the opposition needs five runs off the last over, I'll make sure they only get two. Whatever it takes'," McCullum wrote.

"You'd have to take the man at his word. He's done the job before on us and he's not ranked number one ODI bowler for nothing.

"I'm in my usual position in the dunnies at the back of the dressing room, smoking and listening to the crowd.

"I never watch live. What does it matter if I'm out front or not? I'm better off in the changing room, trying to stay nice and relaxed, not give off too many emotions, so I can support the boys who are going out to bat.

"There's a TV in there of course.

"Once our last batsman has gone out to face, I retreat to the dunnies, out of range of the smoke detectors, and start working my way through a packet of fags.

"This time I'm not alone. Two Indian caterers, the guys who're looking after us for our food in the changing room, join me.

"Like me, they can't bear to watch. One of them says, 'I'm really sorry Mr McCullum, but may I please have a cigarette? I am so nervous.' So the three of us pile into my packet of fags."

Elliot's six broke the hearts of the Proteas and provoked wild celebrations in the Eden Park crowd – and in the New Zealand team toilets.

"I never thought I'd hear a roar like the one Eden Park delivered when Kane finished off the Aussies with a six, but this is at least its equal. Everyone goes nuts.

"In the bowels of the stadium, the two Indian caterers - I wish I knew their names - jump on me and the three of us dance round the dunnies together, then I rush through to the dressing room and out to the front.

"The boys are ecstatic, but out in the middle, Grant is perhaps the only one who's still composed. After a huge victory pump and a hug with Dan, he bends down to a shattered Dale Steyn and offers him a hand up."

McCullum also shares details of the post-match celebrations and commiserations between the teams.

"AB (de Villiers) and I had agreed the teams would have a beer together after the game, but with the level of emotion they're going through, I'm thinking, Jeez, they're not going to be up for that.

"Within half an hour every single one of them - every management person, every player, everyone - arrives.

"You can tell they're broken, but they all come in and they spend a good hour or hour and a half in the changing room having a few beers with us.

"They are bloody great, and that is one of the coolest moments of the tournament."