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Since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in search of trophies back in 2013, Harry Kane, who has been named as one of the best strikers in the world, has continued his remarkable record in front of goal, having found the back of the net a whopping 108 times in 113 games for Bayern Munich.

Harry Kane’s goal return by season

Appearances (all competitions)

Goals

2023-24

45

44

2024-25

51

41

2025-26

17

23

Not only has the 32-year-old established himself as Bayern’s talisman, but he has also remained a consistent source of goals for England at international level, most recently scoring a brace in the Three Lions’ final World Cup qualifier in Albania.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in style, having won every single game in Group K without conceding a goal, and fans will be dreaming of football finally ‘coming home’, after two heartbreaking losses in finals of the Euros.

With one of the world’s best strikers leading the line, England certainly have a chance, and the captain recently surpassed a record set by three-time World Cup-winner Pele.

Harry Kane moves ahead of Pele for international goals

Indeed, courtesy of the brace against Albania, Kane has now moved ahead of Pele for international goals, while also going 25 clear of nearest-rival Wayne Rooney at the top of the Three Lions’ all-time goalscoring charts.

As such, it will come as no surprise that Thomas Frank has previously made it clear he wants to re-sign the former Tottenham star, saying: “He is an unbelievable player who did fantastic for Spurs and is doing fantastic for Bayern. Top player. I think there’s a lot of Tottenham fans, including myself, who would like to see Kane back.”

Frank’s comments came after learning about a clause in the Bayern Munich star’s contract, which means he will be available for just £54m in January, while Spurs also have a first option to sign the centre-forward, should they decide to open talks with the German club.

Kane is in the form of his life at Bayern, and will have aspirations of winning the Champions League this season, so it may be difficult to tempt him to return to N17, but if Tottenham were able to do so, he would undoubtedly be a fantastic signing, and could go on to break the Premier League goal record too.

Where does Harry Kane rank in the 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings? Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings

Who will be lifting the individual honour in 2026?

ByCharlie Smith Nov 6, 2025

Halloween might now be over for another year, but that didn’t stop Newcastle United from showing their Jekyll and Hyde tendencies away at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Heading into this tie against Nuno Espirito Santo’s dejected hosts, Newcastle had collected three wins from their last three games in all competitions.

But, regardless of this run of wins, their poor away record in the Premier League this season continued on at the London Stadium, as Nuno was gifted his first Hammers victory as manager, off the back of the Toon collapsing to a 3-1 loss.

Of course, West Ham did have some genuine moments of quality to thank for their much-needed win, as Lucas Paqueta smashed home this sweetly struck equaliser late into the first half.

Yet, they were definitely boosted by a charitable defensive showing throughout from the away side, too, with Nick Pope perhaps wishing he had done better with this opener, in hindsight.

Newcastle's worrying defensive display

Newcastle would have been the definite favourites for this tie during the pre-match build-up, with West Ham going 247 days without a home victory heading into their showdown with Eddie Howe and Co.

Football is very rarely played to the script, though, with the Newcastle defence that looked rock-solid mid-week when comfortably beating Tottenham Hotspur, replaced by a shoddy, error-prone backline at the London Stadium.

It was the exact same defence, too, minus Sven Botman coming back into the first team mix ahead of Fabian Schar. Howe would have very much regretted making this call in first-half stoppage time, when Botman inexplicably placed a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, past his own goalkeeper, to hand West Ham a slim 2-1 advantage.

The Dutchman wasn’t alone in having an off-day at the back, though, with Emil Krafth hooked off at the half-time mark after he had managed to win zero duels or zero tackles, as Howe desperately wished he had Kieran Trippier available in his spot, instead.

Aaron Ramsdale will also feel he’s in with a slight shout to usurp Pope in between the sticks after a clean sheet was picked up by the ex-Arsenal ‘keeper versus Spurs, with the former Burnley stopper an unsteady pair of gloves, again, when he spilt a late effort into Tomas Soucek’s path to tie up the win for the hosts.

He does have some credit in the bank, though, having kept an impressive five clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season, away from his error-strewn showing on Sunday.

Whereas, one of his other teammates defensively remains on a very precarious tight-rope when it comes to being selected in the starting XI, after a campaign full of disastrous performances.

Howe must drop 3/10 Newcastle star

Howe really did experiment with his XI in East London, as the likes of William Osula, Jacob Ramsey, and Anthony Elanga were all thrown into the first-team action at some point during the chaotic clash.

The 47-year-old’s widespread tinkering did very little to turn the game on its head, though, as Dan Burn struggled throughout as a left-back once more.

Burn’s Newcastle numbers by position

Position

Games played

Goals + Assists

CB

82

2 + 2

LB

78

6 + 2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

In the past, the 6-foot-7 giant has excelled in the left-back spot, as seen in his collecting six goals when selected on the left-hand side from 78 appearances and counting.

But, in the here and now, it’s clear that the ageing number 33 is no longer well suited to a full-back role, with one Newcastle-based content creator’s comments earlier in the season that Burn being selected regularly here is the “stuff of nightmares” very much ringing true against Nuno’s spirited hosts.

Indeed, the Blyth-born defender would offer very little to Howe and Co’s cause in the forward areas, with zero dribbles attempted.

On top of that, Burn would also fail to win a single tackle or a single ground duel during the 3-1 defeat, leading to Newcastle World’s Jordan Cronin handing him a disappointing 3/10 score post-match.

It’s surely the correct time, now, for Lewis Hall to gain more first-team experience in the left-back spot, over Burn, who is showing no signs, as of late, that he’s cut out for this demanding position long term.

Hall was back on the bench, too, at the London Stadium, after a lengthy absence out of the first team fold through injury, as Howe now contemplates ditching his long-standing servant for the promising youngster, as Champions League football returns to St James’ Park mid-week.

Related Howe can drop Jacob Ramsey by unleashing underperforming Newcastle star

Newcastle travel to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Nov 2, 2025

Arsenal are a little bit good, aren’t they? Heading towards the final weekend of November, Mikel Arteta’s charges sit at the top of the Premier League.

Not just in cracking form domestically, defeating rivals Spurs 4-1 last Sunday, they are also more than up to the task in Europe.

Following five match weeks in the Champions League this season, they are top of the table there as well and they are the only team with a 100% record left in the competition.

Their recent win was perhaps one of their most special of the Arteta era. Arsenal dispatched Bayern Munich, unbeaten Bayern this season, winning 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

But, how did they do it?

Arsenal's squad depth reigns supreme against Bayern

What was made all the more impressive about Arsenal’s win against Vincent Kompany’s men was the fact that the Gunners were not at full strength.

No Gabriel? No problem. Jurrien Timber will score from a corner instead. No recognised number 9? Fear not, Mikel Merino will knit things together.

No Martin Odegaard? Well, Eberechi Eze will keep things ticking over. After scoring a stunning hat-trick against Spurs, he registered an assist on Wednesday evening.

No Bukayo Saka? Well, that doesn’t appear to be a problem now either. Saka did start the game but was not at his best against the German giants and while he was still dangerous with his actions, it was the winger’s substitution just after the hour mark that tipped things in Arsenal’s favour.

The first half had been pretty even but the second period was all in favour of the hosts and they really came to the fore once Saka was subbed. In previous seasons, Arteta would rarely dare to take the club’s talisman off but Andrea Berta’s work in the summer transfer window has ensured that we no longer need to worry about that.

Saka went off and before you knew it, Noni Madueke was firing home at the back stick to make it 2-1. The goal had been created by another sub, Riccardo Calafiori, who galloped down the left-hand side like a prize race horse and swung in an inch-perfect delivery.

The third and final goal was tucked home by another substitute in the form of Gabriel Martinelli. Eze clipped a ball over the top and the Brazilian was left with an easy finish after he knocked the ball past an onrushing Manuel Neuer, who did not cover himself in glory at all.

So, it was a win for Arsenal and a win for Berta who fought tooth and nail to spend a shedload on improving the club’s depth. That work could well be decisive as they aim to win both the Premier League and Champions League.

That said, it wasn’t a positive night for everyone in red and white.

Arsenal's biggest concern after Bayern

Seeing Leandro Trossard, a man in the form of his career right now, limp off with an injury in the first half wasn’t ideal but ultimately the quality of Arsenal’s depth shone through. Madueke and Martinelli came on to get Arsenal over the line.

Equally, Calafiori came on and gave Arsenal far more than a certain Myles Lewis-Skelly had given during his 68 minutes on the field.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For supporters, there have been concerns about the form and minutes of the teenager this season. Last term, he burst onto the scene in incredible fashion.

With Calafiori out injured, Lewis-Skelly was the main man at left-back and as a consequence, he became a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. He even scored on his debut for the Three Lions.

There was that goal and that celebration against Manchester City too. He was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Season as well.

Yet, 2025/26 has been more difficult for Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old featured in the first couple of England camps but was told during the November break by Tuchel that he simply needed to be starting more games. Fair enough, right?

He was not dismissing the fact that Lewis-Skelly is a good player, but you simply aren’t going to make it in a World Cup squad if you aren’t playing football.

There have still been some positive performances from the Hale Ender this term. There was that stunning assist for Martinelli’s goal against Atletico Madrid in the earlier stages of the Champions League. It was a piece of play that showcased exactly what he’s all about.

Yet, against Bayern, we saw a player lacking in first-team minutes and ultimately a player lacking in confidence.

Minutes played

68

Touches

25

Accurate passes

7/12 (58%)

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

0/1

Dribbles

0

Shots

0

Duels won

3/11

Recoveries

2

Tackles

1

Lewis-Skelly’s night wasn’t disastrous but he did endure a more challenging evening than his teammates. The England international was caught out by a brilliant ball in behind from Joshua Kimmich that led to Bayern’s equaliser.

Former Gunner, Serge Gnabry, got in behind the youngster and then laid the ball on a plate for 17-year-old Lennart Karl to score. In a battle of the teenagers, it was the German who triumphed on this occasion.

Lewis-Skelly spent most of the night rather uncomfortable with The Standard handing the full-back a 5/10 match rating, having endured a ‘tough evening against Michael Olise’.

In fairness, few will enjoy a comfortable night against a player of Olise’s calibre but Calafiori’s influence off the bench only served to show why Arteta has preferred the Italian this season.

Lewis-Skelly’s night was made all the worse by his lack of impact in possession. Usually an area that’s so impressive in his game, he had fewer touches of the ball (25) than David Raya (45) while he only completed seven passes. Only 33% of his passes in the opposition half were accurate.

So, this was a rare off night for a kid usually so captivating and so full of energy. He struggled. So what? Yet, he will have to improve if he wants to earn more regular minutes. For now, expect Calafiori to come back into the starting lineup for Chelsea at the weekend.

Arteta now has an even better duo than Gabriel & Saliba at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has created an Arsenal team full of incredible partnerships, including one better than Saliba & Gabriel.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 27, 2025

Now we have a crisis. West Ham United are not doomed, but a little over two months into the season, there’s a real sense of foreboding as the relegation-threatened Hammers struggle to climb out of the drop zone.

Leeds United were well worth their win as they saw off Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Friday evening at Elland Road, with shaky West Ham lacking any of the principled, well-drilled defensive solidness that Nuno sides come to be defined by.

Early days yet, but it’s concerning that the Portuguese tactician has failed to structure his squad effectively across his opening Premier League matches at the London Stadium, drawing at Everton on his debut but since losing three on the bounce.

Journalist Jacob Steinberg commented on the issues, criticising the manager for fielding “inexplicable line-ups” and even saying he has “botched both games this week”, having slumped to a home defeat against Brentford on Monday.

But, equally, the players needed to step up against the newly-promoted Whites, and that they did not do.

West Ham's biggest villains at Leeds

West Ham didn’t turn up. Though Mateus Fernandes claimed his first goal for the club when heading Jarrod Bowen’s whipped cross into the net late on, it wasn’t enough and the Londoners retreated with none of the spoils, and the knowledge that they have just four points from nine fixtures thus far.

Bowen was as lively as ever, nearly sealing a show-stopping moment when his bicycle kick was saved in the first half, the Hammers 1-0 down.

But this was about the extent of the positives. Tomas Soucek was particularly poor. An industrious player and one of the finest stalwarts from the illustrious David Moyes era, the 30-year-old’s lumbering limitations were exposed, and aside from that chance which went begging, he was too high too often, leaving Andy Irving exposed.

Crysencio Summerville also flattered to deceive against his former side, but in fairness, he was a victim of tactical confusion, starting on the right and then moving to the left following Ollie Scarles’ first-half injury. There was a lot of huff and puff without any end product.

The 23-year-old has looked bright this term after an injury-hit 2024/25 campaign, but he remains inconsistent and needs to be more outgoing in front of goal.

Electric and inventive, he adds something different, and though the Netherlands-born talent shouldn’t be dropped, there’s little question that he needs to offer more.

However, there’s another member of the starting line-up who has proved he’s not cut out for the task at hand, and Nuno must surely think about dropping him soon.

The West Ham star who must be axed

After the full-time whistle screeched in Leeds, it was made known that West Ham have suffered their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 52 years. Nuno has yet to win a game since replacing Graham Potter.

What, then, needs to be done? Well, for one thing, United’s messy defending needs sorting out – and quickly. And to achieve this, it might be worth pulling Jean-Clair Todibo from the starting line-up, with the Frenchman putting in another poor performance on Friday.

Todibo, 25, spent last season on loan in east London before completing a permanent £35m transfer earlier in 2025. He had been coveted by Juventus and was regarded in France as one of the most athletic and exciting ball-playing defenders in the business.

But the Premier League is a different beast, and after lacking clarity and conviction in his performances last year, Todibo has now fallen by the wayside, with West Ham Fav TV contributor Nick Marsh saying after the match that he and Max Kilman are “comfortably the two worst centre-backs in this league.”

One website even saw it fit to brand Todibo with a lowly 3/10 match rating, and this was echoed across social media, with supporters fed up with the limp and unconvincing defensive displays.

Todibo’s quality in the air must be questioned, and he leaves so much to be desired when dealing with whipped deliveries. Herein lies the crux of West Ham’s issues, and Todibo is very much a part of the problem.

Looking at it across the span of the season, he doesn’t win enough duels – albeit proving strong in the few ground battles he has won – while failing to muster the creativity and initiative on the ball that drew such acclaim while with OGC Nice in France.

Matches (starts)

4 (4)

Touches*

60.0

Clean sheets

0

Accurate passes*

43.8 (88%)

Key passes*

0.0

Recoveries*

3.0

Tackles*

2.0

Interceptions*

0.8

Clearances*

3.5

Ground duels won*

2.8 (73%)

Aerial duels won*

1.5 (38%)

Standing at 6 foot 3, to be averaging success in just 38% of his aerial duels is inexcusable. Todibo must be dropped. But who comes in?

Former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Igor Julio continues to languish on the sidelines, though there are suggestions that the 27-year-old has impressed in training and could be in line for a debut soon, having only made one substitute appearance so far this term.

Meanwhile, Soungoutou Magassa has played in central defence before and has already been shown some trust by Nuno, starting twice in the Premier League this year.

In any case, changes are needed in east London. West Ham boast plenty of quality in their squad and cannot allow themselves to tumble from the first tier. If dropping Todibo is a means toward this goal, then so be it.

Nuno can banish Soucek from West Ham by unleashing "powerful" Irons star

The West Ham gem could help Nuno Espirito Santo pick up his first win in the Premier League.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 23, 2025

She picked up 3 for 23 and then hit a crucial 14 not out in a rain-curtailed chase to maintain Hurricanes’ clean slate

AAP20-Nov-2025Heather Graham helped send Hobart Hurricanes two wins clear at the top of the WBBL table, leading them to a rain-marred six-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades.Initially set 156 by the second-placed Renegades, Hurricanes’ innings was delayed twice by rain and lightning before they reached an adjusted target of 106 with an over to spare.Graham was the star of the show, bagging 3 for 23 with the ball to halt Renegades’ momentum before striking a crucial unbeaten 14 in the chase at North Sydney Oval. Nicola Carey also struck 39 from 29 balls for Hurricanes, while Elyse Villani hit 12 runs from four balls to seal the match.One of only two clubs not to have lifted the WBBL, Hurricanes are now five-from-five to start the season with their batting firing.”We’ve got real clarity about us,” captain Villani said. “We have lots of options with bat and ball so we’re spoiled for choice. And I don’t think anyone feels like it is solely up to them, so it’s a real shared load.”Earlier a bizarre missed run-out had threatened to sink Hurricanes, after Georgia Wareham’s 41 from 26 balls rescued the defending-champions Renegades from 23 for 3.Wareham was initially given run-out for six, only for Hurricanes wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee to concede she had dropped the ball. Wareham then took control of the innings in a 56-run fourth-wicket stand with England’s Alice Capsey (37). The pair hit 39 in the two-over power surge, with Wareham cutting and pulling four boundaries and a six off the first five balls of a Hayley Silver-Holmes over.But when Wareham skied the last ball of Silver-Holmes’ over and was caught, Renegades failed to post the total they should have.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been sent home by Portugal following his red card against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday. Ronaldo received his marching orders on the hour mark, his first dismissal of his international career, having elbowed Ireland defender Dara O'Shea, as the Selecao crashed to a surprise 2-0 defeat at the Aviva Stadium. Portugal remain top of World Cup qualifying Group F despite the loss.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Ireland claimed huge win over Portugal

  However, the Selecao's progression to the 2026 World Cup isn't quite so cut and dry following Thursday's reverse. Troy Parrott bagged a first half brace for the Boys In Green as Ireland made it back-to-back wins to give their play-off hopes a much-needed shot in the arm.

  Ireland now face Hungary, who sit one point above Heimir Hallgrimsson's side, on Sunday afternoon needing to win in order to leapfrog the Magyars into second place. Hungary may yet finish first if they win and Portugal lose to Armenia, though even without Ronaldo, that seems unlikely.

  The 40-year-old won't be hanging around to watch Portugal's game at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto on Sunday afternoon after the experienced striker was 'released from the national team' according to Portuguese publication . Ronaldo had put in a sluggish performance up until his dismissal in what proved a frustrating evening for the Portugal captain.

  Before the game, Ronaldo had promised to be a 'good boy' upon his return to Ireland, stating: "I really like the fans here. The support they give to their national team is lovely.

  "For me, it's a pleasure to play here again, I hope they don't boo me too much tomorrow – I swear that I'm going to try to be a good boy."

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• 'There's no violence'

  Ronaldo's red card was met with disbelief by the experienced striker, who turned to sarcastically applaud the home crowd before trudging towards the tunnel. And the Al-Nassr hitman had to be held back by former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho after the Portuguese hero appeared to mouth 'well done' in the direction of the Irish dugout.

  Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez came to the defence of Ronaldo after Thursday's defeat and argued that the captain's outburst was not 'violent'. "Of course, we spoke I think it's difficult for a player like Cristiano, who's in the box. And today he had two defenders constantly in physical contact," Martinez said.

  "There's no violence. He tries to push the defender away and he was unlucky that the VAR… the angle of the images [makes it look] worse than what happened. It's Ronaldo's first red card for the national team, it's incredible."

  A straight red card on the international stage tends to carry a two-match ban, which means Ronaldo may miss Portugal's World Cup opener if they to get the job done against Armenia and avoid needing to jet stateside next summer via the play-offs.

• AFP
  

  'He knows he made a mistake'

  Manchester United captain and Ronaldo's Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes has admitted that the frontman made a mistake but that his dismissal made things more difficult in Ireland last week. Fernandes, who sat out the game against Ireland owing to a ban of his own, said: "That happens in football, a moment where Cris had a reaction that cost him dearly.

  "Something he didn't want to do, but it ended up happening. He knows he made a mistake and unfortunately couldn't help us, but it doesn't change the fact that we were already behind in the game.

  "It made things a little more difficult, because we were playing with 10 men and didn't have a player who could score a goal at any moment."

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• Portugal expected to breeze past Armenia

  Portugal are still expected to finish top of Group F on Sunday as they gear up to take on Armenia on home turf. Armenia have lost four of their five World Cup qualifiers, including a resounding 5-0 loss to Martinez's men at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium back in September.

  Ronaldo scored twice in that resounding victory, while Joao Felix – twice – and Joao Cancelo also got on the scoresheet earlier in the year.

Team-mates BJ Watling and Jimmy Neesham recall their roles in a moment of NZ history

Vithushan Ehantharajah04-Dec-2024The Basin Reserve has a claim to being one of the best grounds in international cricket. But its immediate surroundings might be the most treacherous.Wellington’s topography, exacerbated by its famous earthquake of 1855, means vehicles basically sling-shot around the ground out of Sussex Street into Buckle Street, which wraps around its highest quarter. It is devilish to navigate both on wheels and foot, and at its most nefarious when the ground is closed to the public, as it was on Wednesday when England and New Zealand trained ahead of the second Test, which begins on Friday.But when the cricket is on, and that same public is enticed in while road users are discouraged, it is at its safest. On February 18, 2014, it was a haven.Related

• Southee chuffed about playing last Test series against England and McCullum

• 'Not something that requires work' – Latham not worried about New Zealand's catching

• Over-rate penalties: Frustrated Stokes wants clear communication from ICC

The foyer of the Cricket Wellington building at the entrance to the ground houses a basic collage of that day: wooden frame, photos, cutouts, captions and headlines like “The game that stopped a nation”. Fitting for day when the traffic was non-existent, but low-key for New Zealand’s first Test triple century – one that had spectators queueing right around the ground, dominating the roads outright.This year marks a decade since England’s Test head coach Brendon McCullum became the first Black Cap to breach three hundred. All of his numbers are remarkable in their own right; 302 runs off 559 balls, and 775 minutes spent at the crease. He arrived when New Zealand were 52 for 3 in their second innings, after India had posted 438 to take a 246-run lead. They would emerge 242 ahead, eventually into a draw for a memorable series victory (McCullum had helped win the first Test with 224). As captain, no less.

****

“Is it bad that I remember him getting dropped by Virat?” Jimmy Neesham recalls to ESPNcricinfo.On nine (from 32 deliveries), McCullum mis-timed a drive that was shelled by Virat Kohli at short mid-on. That would have made it 78 for 4, and an epic would have been terminated before conception. “And then I had the pads on for a day and a half.”Neesham, on debut, was carded at No. 8. And when Tom Latham and Corey Anderson fell either side of lunch, he was ready to go for his second innings. Then came an eight-and-a-half-hour wait as the next man in. For that, he has BJ Watling to thank.Watling, after a duck in the first innings, and 1 and 11 in the first Test, offered McCullum invaluable resistance. The pair shared 741 deliveries, eventually putting on 352. At the time it was a record for the sixth wicket.”The situation was really quite simple,” says Watling, with the matter-of-fact attitude that helps to explain how he was able to better it with a stand of 365 with Kane Williamson at the same ground a year later.”It was just a chance to dig in and ultimately see where that ends up. The fact that Baz kept going and going as well, you start to gain that confidence. You’re literally just going through each ball over time, each over, each session and seeing what unfolds.”When Watling arrived at the crease at 94 for 5 – India still 152 ahead – McCullum had already faced 72 deliveries for 19. He had also taken enough painkillers to down a rhino.McCullum greets fans at the Basin Reserve after his triple-century•AFPThe creaking back – it had been for some time – and a dodgy knee were now accompanied by a dicky left shoulder.”I think there might have been a hamstring strain, you know,” says Watling. “From Eden Park (first Test), chasing one of those balls to the boundary and flying over the rope, as Baz does. He certainly had a few niggles going on, but he certainly wasn’t one to make you terribly aware of it.”There was no tell of any impediment to McCullum. He ticked deliveries over, starting day three’s evening session on 44 from 138 deliveries. he was on 72 from 177 when the new ball arrived, and moved to his first hundred – sealed with a straight six off Ishant Sharma – just 20 deliveries later.The following day – New Zealand effectively resuming on 6 for 5 – McCullum and Watling kept at it, wearing maidens, striking the odd boundary, before somehow dealing in singles – and even the odd three. Watling eventually moved to his third Test century.”I made a slight adjustment for that Test match and bringing back a little pre-movement shuffle, to counter the bounce of Sharma,” he recalls. “I definitely wasn’t feeling comfortable.”But Baz’s nature is to play that attacking brand. He went up and down in tempo throughout. And the way he strikes it, the second new ball gets blunted, which allows us in 15 overs’ time to not having it swinging, bouncing or nipping as much. That makes my life easier.”If McCullum’s approach out in the middle belied the gravity and pressure of the situation, which he was slowly easing, so did the manner in which he carried himself at the intervals. In contrast to Watling.

“Coming in that day, everyone was there at 9am, lines out all around. I certainly haven’t seen that in my time. I’d hate to know the pressure Baz was under.”BJ Watling recalls the buzz around the Basin on the morning of the triple

“We’d come in at tea and lunch and, well, Baz ate a lot, but I certainly didn’t. I’d have a coffee and try and switch off before heading back out there. I’d have a little bit when keeping, but not much if I was going to be batting. Not great, I know – the nutritionist would have a heart attack.”One man who did not have that problem was Neesham: “I’ve never struggled eating. I think if you put me and BJ next to each other, you can probably guess which one doesn’t eat. I had a couple of ham-and-cheese toasties and whatnot up there.”Even though he hadn’t yet made it out to the middle, Neesham was still burning energy. “At the Basin, you have to go along underneath the stand and up through the staircase to the viewing area.”I’m trying to think how many times I must’ve made that walk, because you go downstairs to go to the toilet or whatever, and in sessions you go back down to the change-room and have tea or have lunch and go back up again. So I must’ve gone up and down those stairs about 15 times, with my pads on.”There was a fair bit of nervous energy as well. McCullum and Watling were easing Kiwi nerves with their stand, but Neesham remained on edge.”You don’t enjoy it when you’re next, and I don’t think there’s any batter in world cricket that would say that they enjoy being next in. I think it’s the worst situation in cricket. Imagine having that for a hundred (123) overs?!”Neesham’s anxiety has undimmed over time, it seems, especially when recalling the match situation when he arrived to the crease upon Watling’s dismissal for 124, after tea on day four.”We were about fifty or a hundred behind, so still a bit of work to do.” New Zealand were actually 200 in front. “Were we?” Yes. “Didn’t have any work to do then!”

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And so we come to February 18, 2014. McCullum resumed on 281, and a ground that had been predominantly Indian on day three was now far more skewed towards the Black Caps.”The Basin is a beautiful place to play on a good day,” says Watling. “Coming in that day, everyone was there at 9am, lines out all around. I certainly haven’t seen that in my time. I’d hate to know the pressure Baz was under.”New Zealand’s previous highest Test score was an agonising 299 by Martin Crowe, against Sri Lanka at the same ground 23 years earlier, and Neesham, on 67 not out at the start of that final day, had gauged the interest overnight. “It had become an event in New Zealand. Baz getting to 300 had sort of gone beyond cricket.” Fans of all ages wanted to be a part of it. A 14-year-old Rachin Ravindra was one of the lucky school kids to make it through the turnstiles.By that morning, McCullum was exhausted. Even his kit was starting to wear out.”He had this dumb superstition that he wouldn’t change his grip while he was batting,” says Neesham. “So there’s holes in his grip where it’s split where his fingers are. And he is just taping up these holes, so his bat grip is just cooked. God knows why he didn’t change it.”His old man (Stuart) was in Wellington, too, so they were having a couple of beers each night after the day’s play. And he probably wasn’t getting as much REM sleep as he should have been.”BJ Watling’s third Test hundred, against India in Wellington, was the longest innings by a New Zealand wicketkeeper•Getty ImagesBy the time play had resumed, there were still people lining up along the road to get in. Many were still trying when, midway through the eighth over, McCullum edged Ishant just short of MS Dhoni.”The hush,” starts Neesham, “I still remember that. That was when people realised that he’s not definitely going to get there. It was a celebration of him, that day, of him getting to 300… and then people realised like ‘oh, he actually has to score the runs’.”He did, an over after Neesham reached his maiden Test century: “I could sit back and watch …”Zaheer Khan offered width, McCullum opened the face with a flourish for a 36th and final boundary, and up to 302 he went.McCullum jogged to the other end, raising his arms before taking his helmet off and saluting all corners. There was no real emotion, no tear in the eye. Not even from father Stu, even as he beamed with pride and applauded. He was out two balls later.”It was pretty cool,” says Neesham, 137 not out in the end, and with a front row seat to history. “Pretty cool for your first Test experience.”New Zealand declared on 680 for 8, leaving a nominal target of 435. India ended up hanging on, with Kohli nabbing a consolation century after being given not out on 15, despite an edge to the keeper that would have made it 31 for 3.”The home changing-rooms are really big and you’ve got your own space, and so a great place to sit down after a Test match and reflect,” says Watling. “And there’s a lot of history at the ground, too, and Baz was now part of it. But he didn’t make too much of a fuss about it to be honest. The team had beaten India in a Test series, and that was the biggest celebration in the sheds that night.”Also, I don’t think he could really register what he had just done.”

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Perhaps one of the most telling quotes in the immediate aftermath of McCullum’s 302 came from the man himself: “I feel a little bit embarrassed because I’m not anywhere near the calibre of players that those two in particular are.”Crowe and Stephen Fleming were, in McCullum’s eyes, the top two of New Zealand cricket. They were the ones who were truly worthy of such an honour.There is an element of self-recognition at play there, and foresight. McCullum remains a outlier in New Zealand sport. One of their own, yet belonging to everyone else – to India in perpetuity for his impact on the IPL, and now to England.”You certainly cherish those times with Baz, as a player,” Watling says. “And it looks like England are benefitting from that right now.”He is a maverick who grabbed headlines, yet is still regarded by many as the establishment, particularly after the captaincy farrago involving Ross Taylor in 2012. A certified renegade who now occupies a quiet hinterland in the sporting conscience.”It’s interesting,” says Neesham, when asked about McCullum and validation with his 302. “Is Jayson Tatum a better basketballer than Luka Doncic because he’s won a championship?”There’s talk of it in the current era. But in New Zealand cricket, there’s only a few guys that’ll carry a legacy post-playing. And Baz is one of them.”With time, humility dilutes and perspective improves. And it is not about McCullum needing to be great to have a triple-century. Quite the opposite.Of all the batting accolades he possesses, including the fastest Test century in his final match, this is the one that grants greatness. Breaking new ground for his country, showing the world he could produce something that echoed throughout history, and setting himself apart from those he deems more worthy.And for one day, bringing a country still split on his legend together on a roundabout in Wellington.