Slight changes in both his wicket-keeping and batting techniques are what Otago's Brendon McCullum hopes will fuel his return to international cricket.

McCullum, who was tossed into the VB Series in Australia last summer, against the wishes of his provincial coach Glenn Turner who felt it was too soon for the immensely talented player, disappointed himself with his performances in the limited overs competition.

The 21-year-old McCullum said his problems were in dealing with his approach when feeling uncomfortable and last summer he had been guilty of clutching at straws and making mistakes.

"It is one thing to play for your country but it is another thing to dominate," he said of his renewed passion to play for the TelstraClear Black Caps.

He realised he needed to work on aspects of his preparation outside the game.

In order to boost his chances, McCullum went to Australia for the winter, firstly to Darwin to play club cricket away from the distractions available in New Zealand, then to Sydney where he played club cricket for six weeks while also working with former New Zealand coach, and now New South Wales coach, Steve Rixon.

Part of McCullum's appeal to the selectors this year will be his return to wicket-keeping after having last season off to assess a knee problem that had plagued his game. The problem was some dead bone in his knee that wasn't regenerating, meaning there was a constant wear on that part of his leg.

However, he has worked at building up the muscles around the knee, and by changing his style of 'keeping he has been able to eliminate the area of conflict.

"There is not as much stress there now," he said.

Having an operation was not a consideration for the knee because there was a chance that he might never be able to 'keep again.

McCullum was confident that the time spent in Australia had been ideal for getting his fitness sorted out.

"My body is as good as it has been and it had always been my ambition to get back 'keeping," he said.

To get recognition that he was still part of the selectors' thinking by being included in the New Zealand one-day side's three-day camp had been a good feeling.

While Rixon, who was an international wicket-keeper himself, had been able to give McCullum several pointers, the craft was one where individuals looked to develop their own formula and he realised he needed to refine his own.

He said he was looking forward to getting the gloves on and getting Otago competing at a good standard and to compete for a position in the New Zealand team as a wicket-keeper/batsman.

He will bat in the middle-order in the Otago four-day side to work with the lower-order while it is likely he will open the batting in the one-dayers.

Otago have their first State Championship game starting in Wanganui on Saturday against Central Districts.

© CricInfo