Brendon McCullum will continue on his flashy way in Twenty20 domestic leagues long after February's "romantic" international swansong against Australia.
New Zealand captain McCullum won't play again in a Black Cap after the two-Test home series.
The 34-year-old says he couldn't think of a better exit route than against the side who were his first opponents at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a one-day international 14 years ago.
He had decided against pulling up stumps at the World Twenty20 in India in April.
"There's something pretty romantic, in terms of finishing in front of New Zealand crowds and playing at New Zealand grounds," McCullum said.
The Basin Reserve Test starting on February 12 has personal meaning as it was the venue for his New Zealand-record 302 against India two years earlier.
And his Hagley Oval finale from February 20 will be in home town Christchurch, at the ground he christened with a blistering 195 against Sri Lanka last year.
After that, McCullum will join the lucrative T20 circuit favoured by many retired internationals.
He has a three-year contract with the Brisbane Heat in the Australian Big Bash League and last week was contracted by new franchise Rajkot for the 2016 Indian Premier League. He admits other T20 possibilities could open up.
Outside cricket, McCullum will spend more time with his young family.
"There's the matter of three kids to deal with and maybe put some time and effort back into them after selfishly chasing my dreams over the last decade or so."
He will also plough more attention into a horse racing and breeding company he helped to set up last year, pursuing a long-held passion.
