Taylor delighted with McCullum's outstanding showing in CLT20

Wellington, Oct 30: New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has lauded all rounder Nathan McCullum for his outstanding performances for Big Bash side Sydney Sixers during their triumphant Champions League Twenty20 campaign. 

McCullum was scheduled to touch down in Colombo on Tuesday, and  then head to Pallekele, where he''ll be considered for New Zealand''s one-off T20 match against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. 

Taylor confirmed they had a full squad of 15 to choose from, and expressed hope that McCullum can carry his T20 form against Sri Lanka. 

“It''s outstanding. We don''t often get people in finals,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Taylor, as saying of McCullum''s effort. 

“It''s nice to play in them, but to win them and put in a good performance adds to it . . . hopefully he can bring that experience and pass that on to the team,” he added. 

New Zealand are familiar with Pallekele International Cricket Stadium having won one and lost three of their World T20 matches here. 

Sri Lanka are without the rested Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga, while the tourists rested opener Martin Guptill from the limited overs segment. 

Taylor said all his squad would play either tomorrow, or in the first two ODIs of the five-match series. Canterbury youngster Tom Latham will open in Guptill''s absence.

“He''s batted there a lot at age group level and had a lot of success there in recent times so hopefully he can take his opportunity there,” Taylor said.