It's heartbreaking, says disappointed McCullum

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum shrugged his shoulders and tutted slightly as he sat down to face the media after the final day of the Test series against England on Tuesday. 

McCullum's under-rated side had come within one wicket of upsetting the world's second-ranked Test team to claim the series 1-0 after the first two matches in Dunedin and Wellington ended in rain-affected draws. 

New Zealand haven’t won against England since 1999.

“It is heartbreaking, obviously,” McCullum told reporters.

“We played some brilliant cricket throughout the series but especially in this Test match, and dictated terms from day one and we gave it every chance to force the result.

“We came up against a defiant English team who were hell-bent on ensuring they didn't lose the Test match for their country and unfortunately we weren't able to penetrate to get that one more wicket,” he added.

Prior and Broad were given out lbw, only to have the decision reviewed and the on-field decision overturned. “I think Matty's living pretty clean,” McCullum said with a smile of the delivery that bounced onto Prior's stumps.

“There were lots of twists and turns and half chances and little things you'll look back on and think if only. It all added to the drama and take nothing away from the way that Matt played, it was an incredible innings under severe pressure and he stood up and showed why he's the player that he is,’’ he added.