Departing McCullum keen to return to Middlesex

Brendon McCullum is preparing to play his last two games for Middlesex this season after confirming he would welcome a return to the club in 2017.

The big-hitting former New Zealand captain departs on Saturday for the Caribbean Premier League but not before he has featured for Middlesex in two more T20 Blast matches that are pivotal to the county’s chances of quarter-final qualification.

A 20,000 crowd is expected at Lord’s on Thursday evening when Middlesex face Somerset, and McCullum will then make his final appearance against Kent at Canterbury on Friday.

McCullum’s signing was part of Middlesex’s drive to improve their one-day fortunes this summer and, in the T20 Blast, they currently lie sixth in the South Group table with two wins and one no result so far from five games, giving them five points.

Victories against Somerset and Kent in the next 48 hours would leave them in a strong position to finish in the top four and secure a quarter-final place.

George Bailey, the Australian batsman, is due to arrive early next week to take over McCullum’s role in the top order.

For now, though, Middlesex supporters will hope McCullum can sign off from his short first stint at the club with the sort of batting fireworks that have long been the hallmark of one of the world’s most charismatic and exciting modern cricketers.