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McCullum scores fastest Test century

McCullum beat the previous mark of 56 balls shared by West Indies ‘Master Blaster’ Viv Richards and Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq, and his innings led New Zealand to a creditable 370 after being sent in on a green pitch. In reply, Australia was 57-1. He 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, caught at deep square leg by Nathan Lyon off James Pattinson, off 79 balls with 21 fours and two sixes. His innings had guided New Zealand from early trouble at 32-3 to 253-5 when he departed. “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 179-run partnership for the fifth wicket between McCullum and Anderson, from 57 balls, was the fastest in Test history. McCullum fittingly will leave international cricket with a brilliant and belligerent innings that typified his career. New Zealand was in serious trouble after losing the toss and being sent in to bat on a moist, green wicket which provided extravagant seam movement.

Hazlewood gave away only 11 runs in his first 10 overs; he then conceded 57 from his next four. McCullum reached his ton by hitting 6, 4, 4, 6 from four balls off Hazlewood in the 36th over. 

SCOREBOARD
New Zealand 1st innings: Guptill c Burns b Pattinson 18, Latham c Smith b Bird 4, Williamson c Smith b Marsh 7, Nicholls lbw b Hazlewood 7, McCullum c Lyon b Pattinson 145, Anderson c Voges b Lyon 72, Watling c Burns b Bird 58, Southee c Hazlewood b Lyon 5, Henry c Khawaja b Lyon 21, Wagner c Nevill b Hazlewood 10, Boult n.o. 14; Extras (LB-2, W-5, NB-2) 9; TOTAL (in 65.4 overs) 370; Wickets: 1-21, 2-23, 3-32, 4-74, 5-253, 6-266, 7-273, 8-297, 9-333, 10-370.; Bowling: Hazlewood 18-5-98-2, Pattinson 15-2-81-2, Bird 14.4-4-66-2, Marsh 8-1-62-1, Lyon 10-0-61-3.
Australia 1st Innings: Warner c Guptill b Boult 12, Burns n.o. 27, Khawaja n.o. 18; Extras 0; TOTAL (in 20 overs) 57/1; Wickets: 1-25.; Bowling: Southee 7-1-21-0, Boult 6-1-18-1, Henry 6-2-18-0, Anderson 1-1-0-0 STUMPS: DAY ONE
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