Source - NZ City News

Australian crowds have not seen the last of New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum despite his Big Bash League withdrawal, with the expectation being that he'll announce his international retirement early next year.

Not even Heat coach and ex-teammate Daniel Vettori could stop McCullum from breaking Brisbane hearts and pulling out of this season's BBL due to series against Sri Lanka at home.

But there are no fears McCullum will renege on the remaining two seasons of his Heat deal, with speculation rife the big hitting batsman is set to walk away from international cricket after March's Twenty20 World Cup.

That will give McCullum one last chance to avenge the Black Caps' 2-0 series loss to Australia in the return two-Test leg in New Zealand in February.

McCullum has been replaced by West Indian Lendl Simmons in the Heat line-up for the upcoming BBL.

The 34-year-old McCullum has not played down international retirement talk this year.

He touched on it after New Zealand levelled their two-Test series in England in June.

Their first Test win in England since 1999 ensured they notched a national record seven straight unbeaten series.

That same month he signed the three-season Heat deal, further adding to the speculation.

And he would not rule it out after their record streak was snapped by their recent 2-0 series loss in Australia.

“

We've achieved some really special things and built a real soul about how we want to play the game

” 

- McCullum told reporters.

"The body's a bit sore at the moment but we'll see what happens."

Simmons was second highest run scorer in this year's Indian Premier League behind David Warner, helping the Mumbai Indians claim the IPL T20 title.

A member of the Windies' 2012 T20 World Cup winning side, Simmons will be available for all of Brisbane's BBL games this season.