New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum to retire from international cricket in February 2016

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has announced he will retire from international cricket in early 2016. The 34-old batsman will feature in the Test series against Australia in February but will then call time a career with the Kiwis, which has spanned 11 years.

"I've loved my opportunity to play for, and captain the Black Caps, but all good things have to come to an end, and I'm just grateful for the wonderful experience of playing for my country," he told New Zealand's official website. McCulllum added however he is still fully focused on ending his career with a win.

"There's a time and place for reflection, and that's at the end of your career," he said. "For now, I'll be giving all my attention to helping the team focus on what's coming up over the next few weeks – and making sure we're in the best possible shape for what's going to be a very challenging summer."

McCullum has hit 6273 runs in 99 Test matches, good enough for second spot in New Zealand's all-time run scorer list. After making his debut in 2004, he became captain for the Test, one-day international and Twenty20 sides in 2013. With victory against Sri Lanka in Hamilton on December 21 McCullum's New Zealand equalled the team's longest undefeated home streak, of 13 Tests.

He has scored 5909 runs in 254 one-day internationals and notched a record 2140 in 71 T20 matches. He will also become the first cricketer to play 100 successive Tests when he leads the Black Caps in the first Test against Australia.

New Zealand begin the two-Test series against Australia in Wellington on 12 February, with the second to follow in Christchurch on 20 February.