Christchurch: One of the hard-hitting batsmen New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has scored the fastest Test century in the first innings of the second Test against Australia here at the Hagley Oval on Saturday.
It was a splendid style to say “Good Bye” to the Test cricket as he has already bided adieu from limited over formats.
Baz has completed his century in just 54 deliveries and a total of 145 off just 79 deliveries before James Pattinson sent him back. He hit 21 boundaries and six maximums. The 54-ball-100 broke the previous record by Sir VIV Richards who completed his century in 56 balls against England at St. John’s in the 1985-86 series.
Australian skipper Steve Smith has opted to bowl first after winning the toss. The decision seemed to be right until McCullum’s arrival. It was looking like he has unleashed himself and put all his energy in his batting. He showed that there is a lot of batting still left in him.
He came out to bat when the hosts were struggling with 3/32. The Aussies had greeted the Kiwi legend in style by giving him a guard of honour.
He played his natural game and the bowlers had no clue to how to get rid of the belligerent batsman.
However, all-rounder Corey Anderson played a vital role during his innings by not just standing, but also scoring quick runs at the other end. Both of them added 179 runs for the fifth wicket.
It was McCullum who left the crease in style as the crowds and the opponents applauded his fabulous knock and gave a standing ovation to the wicket-keeper batsman.
Meanwhile, Anderson also followed him few runs later. He scored 72 off just 66 deliveries, including eight boundaries and four maximums.
Wicket-keeper BJ Watling played a valuable knock, batting down the order. He scored 58 off just 57 deliveries, including nine boundaries.
New Zealand were bowled out for 370 runs. Nathan Lyon bagged three wickets while Josh Hazzlewood, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird picked two wickets each.
In reply, the visitors have made 57 for the loss of the only wicket of David Warner before the umpires called off the day.. Joe Burns and in-form Usman Khawaja are at the crease.
