New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum may reportedly retire from international cricket if there is any relapse of his crippling back problem during or after the first Test against the West Indies in Dunedin.

McCullum was named as the captain of his side to face West Indies in the December 3 Test, but there are still doubts about his fitness with sources claiming that the skipper is very worried about his international future.

According to Stuff.co.nz, a source said that McCullum described his back injury as “very serious” and is considering retirement from international cricket as a serious option if there is any relapse of the problem during or after the Dunedin Test.

McCullum, who has revealed the extent of his struggles recently, had said that he was sick of playing cricket on heavy painkillers and did not want to “completely break his body” by continuing.

The struggles of McCullum, who has two protruding discs in his back and was also diagnosed with arthritis, may also have contributed to the decision to rush Kane Williamson back from a fractured left thumb, the report added.

Image: Brendon McCullum

Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images