Christchurch: Brendon McCullum, at his brutal best, belted the fastest Test century the world has seen as he thrashed the Australian attack on the first day of the second Test in Christchurch on Saturday.
The 34-year-old took just 54 balls to reach his hundred in a landmark innings to celebrate his final Test before bowing out of international cricket.
New Zealand were 32-3 when McCullum went to the middle and they eventually scored 370 with McCullum out for 145.
As the captain led his side out of trouble, his entertaining innings overshadowed the valuable support from Corey Anderson who made 72 off 66 and BJ Watling's 56-ball 58.
From 32/3 to 370 all out off 65.4 overs. McCullum 145(79), Anderson 72(66) & Watling 58(56). Bowlers turn, 21 overs left in day #NZvAUS ^WN
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 20, 2016
It was a masterclass of aggression from McCullum after Australia won the toss and made New Zealand bat on a green wicket.
Although the call paid dividends for Australia in the early overs, McCullum blasted New Zealand back into the game.
He reached his 100 two balls faster than the previous record shared by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq.
There's a new King at the top of the fastest Test century table - Congratulations Brendon McCullum! - BLACKCAPS
Posted by ICC - International Cricket Council on Friday, 19 February 2016
With the first of the six sixes he hit he overtook Australian Adam Gilchrist's record for the most Test sixes and finished with a new mark of 106.
RECORD! No boundary ever was and ever will be big enough for this man... Brendon McCullum! - #howzstat BLACKCAPS
Posted by ICC - International Cricket Council on Saturday, 20 February 2016
He also hit 21 fours in notching his 12th Test century.
McCullum received a standing ovation when he went to the middle and they stood and applauded again as he left after the trademark swashbuckling performance.
On 45 he was brilliantly caught in the gully by Mitchell Marsh only for replays to show the James Pattinson delivery was a no ball.
McCullum added another 100 runs before Pattinson finally claimed the wicket when the ball was snared by a diving Nathan Lyon at long leg.
Anderson, who featured in a match-changing 179-run stand with McCullum, had been a willing partner in attacking the boundary with eight fours and four sixes in his innings.
Martin Guptill had tried the same aggressive approach at the head of the innings, reaching 18 before Pattinson caught the outside edge with a ball that nipped back and Joe Burns held the catch at short leg.
The other top order batsmen tried to graft it out with Kane Williamson facing 69 deliveries for his seven while Tom Latham faced 40 balls for four.
Pattinson, in his comeback Test for Australia, had two for 81.
