Kiwi cricketer Brendon McCullum has been replaced as captain of the Brisbane Heat for the upcoming Big Bash League competition in Australia.
The team said in a statement yesterday the former Black Caps skipper has been replaced by batting partner Chris Lynn for the upcoming T20 competition.
Fellow former Black Caps captain Dan Vettori, who now coaches the Heat, says the change was part of a master plan for the club.
"The timeline is pretty much as we mapped out when we all came together a few years back to do some planning around succession and future recruiting," Vettori said.
The decision continues McCullum's slow transition into the twilight of his career after it was confirmed earlier this year he had lost guaranteed spots in both the Indian and Pakistan T20 leagues.
But the Kiwi batsman backed Brisbane's decision.
"Having Lynny as captain is right on the money," he said.
"He's a senior player with lots of expertise and has been part of winning teams and successful clubs all over the world.
"I have enjoyed being able to tap into his thinking when I was captain and I know he is more than ready as skipper to enable us to play exciting, fearless cricket again this summer."
The Heat open their BBL season with a home match against the Adelaide Strikers on December 19.
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