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McCullum in a hurry as he belts fastest-ever century in second test against Australia

Popular New Zealand cricket captain celebrates his final test in style as he breaks record held by childhood hero Viv Richards

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New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum celebrates breaking the world record for the fastest test century in Christchurch. Photo: Reuters
Agence France-Presse

Brendon McCullum belted the fastest century the world has seen on Saturday as he thrashed the Australian bowling in a landmark innings to celebrate his final test.

At the end of his explosive 145-run innings, the popular New Zealand captain felt a mixture of pride in what he had achieved and embarrassment at breaking a record set by his childhood hero Viv Richards.

With a stream of sixes and fours, McCullum brought up his 100 in just 54 deliveries, two fewer than the previous record of 56 achieved by West Indies’ great Richards 30 years ago and Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq in 2014.

It was great fun and it was also instrumental in us being able to, hopefully, set the test match up for us
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum

With New Zealand fighting to save the series after losing the firs test, McCullum’s aggression had set his side up for a first innings 370 and Australia were 57-1 at the end of the first day.

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The 34-year-old, who retires from international cricket at the end of this test, said that when he went to the middle on a seaming wicket, and with New Zealand in trouble at 32-3, he felt attack would be the best form of defence.

And he knew early on that luck was on his side.

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“Probably second ball when I had an almighty, filthy slog and sort of managed to go over the slips cordon for four,” he laughed.

McCullum was in majestic form against Australia on the first day of the second test. Photo: AP
McCullum was in majestic form against Australia on the first day of the second test. Photo: AP
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