‘I am alive and kicking more than ever before,’ Nathan McCullum tweeted.
Former New Zealand international cricketer Nathan McCullum was forced to deny his own death after rumours spread on social media that he had passed away.
The 38-year-old, who played 84 One Day Internationals for his country, wrote on Twitter: “I am alive and kicking more than ever before. Not sure where this news has come from but this is fake. Love you all.”
McCullum included an image of a post from fan page New Zealand Cricket FanHub in his tweet, which claimed his wife had announced he had passed away.
The fan page, which has more than 25,000 likes, has since apologised for its mistake, writing: “We made a mistake and we are sorry. Nathan McCullum is alive and doing well.”
An admin for the fan page told the Press Association: “I saw it [the news] posted on another Facebook page which has since been taken down. [I] can’t remember the name of it, but yes, I didn’t really look into it as much as I should have.”
Another admin for the page said that the person responsible for sharing the post has now had their administrative powers taken away, adding that they had seen the claims spread elsewhere on the internet.
McCullum’s Wikipedia page has since been given semi-protected status “due to vandalism.”
Social media users responded to the rumours – some paid their respects online, but others weren’t convinced.
Meanwhile, Nathan’s brother Brendon shared his own confusion on Twitter, writing: “my heart broke!”
Nathan McCullum retired from international cricket in 2016 to spend more time with his family.
Michael Olise scored twice as Bayern Munich started the new year by routing Wolfsburg 8-1 with six second-half goals to move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Olise, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz picked apart the Wolfsburg defense on Sunday in a display of dominance which leaves Bayern firmly on course to defend the title in only the 16th game of the 34-game season.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was pleased his players didn't let up.
“It’s these moments where it’s five, six, 7-1, and they keep running, they keep pressing and keep trying to score goals," he told broadcaster DAZN. "I have to say, I like that.”
In freezing temperatures for Bayern's first game since the winter break, Olise got a brace and Kane and Díaz one apiece, along with goals for substitutes Raphael Guerreiro and Leon Goretzka, and two Wolfsburg own-goals.
Bayern only had two nervous moments all game. The first was Dzenan Pejcinovic's goal for Wolfsburg in the 13th, which leveled the score at 1-1 after right back Konrad Laimer missed an interception.
The other was a brief injury scare for Kane, who needed treatment after being caught on the ankle by defender Moritz Jenz midway through the first half but was soon back in action.
It was Bayern's biggest margin of victory in a Bundesliga game since Kompany took over ahead of the 2024-25 season. His team has scored a remarkable 63 goals in 16 league games this season, nearly four per game, and conceded only 12.
Bayern hasn't lost a Bundesliga game since March and remains the only unbeaten team in any of Europe's five biggest leagues. Wolfsburg is 14th, three points above the relegation zone, as a troubled season hits a new low.
Bayern's closest rivals all had difficulties this weekend as second-place Borussia Dortmund drew 3-3 with Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen lost 4-1 to Stuttgart and Leipzig’s game was postponed due to snow.
Also Sunday, United States full back Joe Scally scored his first goal since 2023 as Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Augsburg 4-0. Gladbach moved up two places to 10th after winning at home for only the second time this season.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Munich's Michael Olise celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Mönchengladbach's Joe Scally, center, celebrates scoring with teammates during the Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Mönchengladbach - FC Augsburg in Mönchengladbach, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)
Munich's Michael Olise celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)
Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
