MCCULLUM SLAMS FASTEST TEST TON
In his last Test match, New Zealand’s McCullum sets record with a 54-ball century against Australia
Playing his last international match, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hit the fastest century in Test history — off 54 balls — against Australia at Christchurch
■ CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND: It was the dream script for Brendon McCullum’s farewell — a captain’s rescue innings in which he bludgeoned records and ensured New Zealand would be a force in the second Test against Australia on Saturday.
At stumps, Australia were 57-1 after McCullum’s blistering 145 set New Zealand up for a first innings 370 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
David Warner was gone for 12 with Joe Burns not out 27 and Usman Khawaja on 18.
It was McCullum’s day as he smashed a world record 54-ball century and raised the record for the most Test sixes to 106 in a typically brutal onslaught.
McCullum beat the previous mark of 56 balls shared by West Indies ‘Master Blaster’ Viv Richards and Pakistan’s Misbahul-Haq.
McCullum raced from 80 to 100 in just four balls, with two sixes and two fours off Josh Hazlewood, reaching the record with a four through extra cover.
McCullum was eventually out for 145, superbly caught at deep square leg by Nathan Lyon off James Pattinson, off 79 balls with 21 fours and two sixes.
A SHADE OF LUCK
“The record is something you’re immensely proud of but of course you don’t set out to achieve it,” McCullum said. “I managed to ride my luck all the way through and we’re in a pretty strong position at the end of day one.”
The main piece of luck was a reprieve after being brilliantly caught by Mitchell Marsh at gully. McCullum was on his way back to the pavilion when replays showed Pattinson had overstepped, and it was a no-ball.
Corey Anderson, who batted in McCullum’s shadow, still reached a brisk half century from 39 balls and was out soon after McCullum for 73. At tea, B.J. Watling was on 6 and Tim Southee on 5, after a ballistic second session that saw 199 runs scored at a rate of 8.9 runs per over.
The century partnership for the fifth wicket between McCullum and Anderson, from 57 balls, was the fastest in Test history, beating the stand for the 10th wicket between New Zealand’s Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns against England in 2002. The McCullum-Anderson partnership of 179 came at the staggering rate of 9.76 runs per over.
“It was obviously a really special day and the partnership that Corey (Anderson) and I were able to create was really important for our team,” McCullum said. “The wicket had quite a bit in it so we decided the best form of defence was attack and we got a bit lucky as well.”
A BIT EMBARRASSING
“I had no idea,” McCullum told a news conference.
“I was trying to hit every ball for four or six. Viv was my idol growing up so it’s nice to be able to go past him on this occasion.
“But he was a cracking player, he was an incredible cricketer. I’m almost a little bit of embarrassed to go past him, to be honest.”
McCullum said he knew it was probably going to be his day when he had an “almighty filthy slog” at his second ball which flew over the slips cordon for four.
McCullum, was greeted by a guard of honour formed by the Australians when he went out to bat with his team already in deep trouble but needing to win to square the two-test series.
He attacked from the start to reach 82 from 48 balls when Josh Hazlewood came in to bowl.
“When you are confronted with wickets like that, you know you are going to have to be pretty aggressive,” McCullum concluded.
“I think we got quite a bit of luck today.”