New Zealand cricketing great Brendon McCullum tries to put himself in the shoes of the audience when considering what they would want to hear from a former Blackcaps captain.

So those in attendance at the Tauranga Gala Dinner 2021 can expect to hear an authentic and candid take on his cricketing career, his life post playing and even wider topics.

McCullum is the keynote speaker at this year's event at the Trustpower Arena on Friday, July 16.

The dinner is being emceed by Scotty Stevenson, and McCullum says his broadcasting buddy would be the best man to ask regarding what topics might be up for discussion on the night.

'You have got to ask Scotty really, as his questions will direct it,” he jokes.

'I am sure it will be very candid and upbeat as well as entertaining. I am sure the audience will have a few laughs, but we will hopefully also touch on some more serious things as well.”

Whilst a few tales of his time playing the game might be on the cards, McCullum says he likes to speak of the emotions of moments rather than deliver premeditated stories.

'When you get invited to these events you try to think what you would like to hear as a guest from the speaker,” he elaborates.

'So I think of transparency, authenticity and a bit of humour. Maybe some behind the scenes experiences and maybe discuss some hot topics as well.”

Bringing across his personality is clearly something McCullum is hoping to do at the dinner. In the modern era, sport stars are often criticised for being sanitised or safe in their dalliances with the media or the general public.

That is something McCullum sympathises with.

'I suppose some sports stars now are sort of guarded about things in the current climate,” he says.

'I have had a couple of those experiences myself in the past with social media, and that can end up being twisted and misconstrued.

'You have just got to be a little bit careful. I think that might be why some sportspeople are so guarded.

'You want to hear a bit more personality from a lot of the sportspeople and I understand why they don't, but you really want to hear that because most of them have fascinating tales to tell and characters to display.”

By the time the most prolific six hitter in international test cricket history takes to the stage at Baypark, he will be hoping to have celebrated the current crop of Blackcaps, including Tauranga's Kane Williamson and Mount Maunganui's Trent Boult, winning the ICC World Test Championship against India in England.

Williamson is battling an elbow injury ahead of the clash, while Boult joined up with the rest of the squad late, although he did help New Zealand sweep aside the challenge of England at Edgbaston recently.

McCullum is backing both to lead New Zealand to success in the final.

'Those guys have been around the game for a long time now,” he explains.

'They know how to get themselves from point A to point B and be prepared as best they can. Mentally, they are strong customers too.

'I think New Zealand has a big chance in the final.

'Both sides play a style of cricket which is to go out and get the win, which should mean two teams going at it, and if we can get a result in the final hour of the fifth day it would be wonderful.”

Hopefully a New Zealand win will give this Blackcaps hero a reason to be cheerful at this year's Tauranga Gala Dinner.

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Nominate a local business and tell us why they deserve this amazing experience!

Enter your nomination by 28 June, at: www.sunlive.co.nz/competitions.html

Check out www.taurangagaladinner.co.nz for more details on the full evening of five star entertainment