McCullum blames batting failure for Wellington Test defeat

Retiring New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has blamed his side's poor batting display and not the umpire blunder as the reason behind their humiliating innings and 52-run defeat against Australia in the opening Test in Wellington on Monday.

Voges went on to score 239 in his side's victory after he was controversially given a lifeline by the umpire despite being bowled out for seven.

Bowler Doug Bracewell was adjudged to have sent down a no-ball, but the television replay later showed that it was a legitimate delivery.

However, McCullum said that his side were completely outplayed much before Voges' reprieve as the Kiwis were bundled out for mere 183 runs in their first innings.

The 34-year-old retiring skipper lavished praise on Voges for showing strength in overcoming his non-dismissal, adding that he was not only a good player but a strong player overall.

Reflecting on the issue, Australian skipper Steve Smith admitted that the incident would help to avoid such kind of mistakes in future, Sport24 reported.

McCullum will now aim to sign off his international career with a series-leveling win when New Zealand take on Australia in the second and the final Test of the two-match series, starting from February 20 at Hagley Oval.