Outgoing New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum spoke to the media on Tuesday (23 February) following his retirement from international cricket.

SOUNDBITE (English) Brendon McCullum, outgoing New Zealand captain:

"It's not the ideal way to go out but at the same time I've had a great time and even just being involved in this Test match as well at home and the ovations which I've received and obviously the guard of honour and things like that. It's memories that I'll take with me forever."

(Question: There's been a lot of love out there the last few days.)

"There has hasn't there, yeah, it's been good. It's been quite nice actually. I guess when someone's career winds down other cricketers they want to show their respects in some way as well. You never foresee that that level of respect that Steve Smith and the Australian team showed with that guard of honour would ever eventuate. But it was a nice touch and a really nice touch from our boys today when we went back out onto the park and the changeroom away from the cameras, sort of had a very similar sort of guard of honour I guess. Yes, it's really nice but it's time to move on I think."

(Question: It's been 14-odd years. How do you think you'll feel when you wake up tomorrow morning?)

"I'll be a bit dusty tomorrow I'd say. I've got 14 years to make up for. I think I'll be fine. The time is right. I came to that realisation when I made the decision and I knew I could steel myself for another couple of challenges and now I walk away comfortable with my decision and looking forward to the next stage of my life and spend some time with the family and take up some other challenges as well. And I think the team is at that stage as well. They're ready for a new leader and a slightly new direction as well and hopefully I've left and brought some fun and enjoyment and some real culture back into the set-up in the time that I had as captain."