Brendon McCullum not to keep wickets in Tests

New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum has said that he will no longer keep wickets in Test matches, but will continue to do so in 50-over and Twenty20 cricket.

McCullum said on Sunday his decision to quit the Test wicketkeeping role had not been made lightly and was intended to prolong his international career.

He will now seek Test selection as a specialist batsman, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"I have talked to a lot of people about how they went about extending their international careers, including some prominent former and current wicketkeepers," McCullum said.

"I am passionate about playing for the Black Caps and by limiting my keeping to the shorter forms of the game it increases my chances of prolonging my career," he said.

New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said he and his fellow selectors understood and supported McCullum's choice.