McCullum set to launch legal action against Parker

The New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is set to launch defamation proceedings against John Parker over a document concerning the way Ross Taylor's removal as captain was handled. The law firm Chapman Tripp is expected to file proceedings in the High Court in Hamilton next week over the document titled "The Taylor Affair", which they claim was written by Parker.

McCullum said in a statement released by his lawyers that he had "no option but to take legal action". "Mr Parker's paper makes some very serious attacks on my integrity, my honesty and my ethics as a professional sportsman," McCullum said. "I have endeavoured to resolve these issues with Mr Parker but have been unable to do so. He has left me with no choice but to defend myself and my reputation this way."

McCullum said he was not seeking monetary damages but wanted Parker's "acknowledgment that the claims he makes are completely false".

Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, is also believed to be considering legal action against Parker and issued a statement on Friday that said he was aware of McCullum's comments. "I have similar concerns to him regarding the comments made by John Parker about me," Hesson said. "I have taken legal advice and the matter is currently being dealt with by my lawyers. I have nothing further to say regarding the matter."

Parker, who once captained New Zealand, has been critical not only of Taylor's removal as captain but also the wider governance of New Zealand Cricket.