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Retiring New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hit the fastest hundred in test match history on day one of the second test as the hosts piled on 370 runs in just 65.4 overs.
The kiwis had a shaky start against the swinging conditions after being sent in to bat by Steve Smith, falling to 3/32 inside the first session at only one and half runs per over. Enter Brendon McCullum.
The skipper doubled his sides total in just the five overs before lunch as he then lost his partner Kane Williamson in the first over after the break to an absolute screamer of a catch by Steve Smith at second slip, for a painstaking seven runs from 69 balls. He would then combine with Corey Anderson to blow the Australian bowling attack out of the park. Literally.
The two big hitters amassed an incredible 179 run stand (with 10 sixes and 29 fours between them) in just 19 overs as McCullum flew into triple figures and the record books with a 54 ball century, the fastest in test history beating the previous mark of 56 balls.
In an almost karmic instance for Voges in the first test, McCullum was caught in the gully off James Pattinson for just 39 but it was overturned because of a front foot no ball. Although Pattinson picked up McCullum in the end, it was a very costly no ball.
Despite the captain falling before tea, New Zealand still scored 199 runs in a shortened 25 over session to take their total towards 300 in short order. The Aussie bowlers brought it back a little in the end but a stubborn 41 run stand for the last wicket just rubbed salt in the wound before Joe Burns and Dave Warner came out to bat.
Australia would lose Warner early to a peach of a delivery before Burns and first drop Usman Khawaja set up the walls of defense, surviving until stumps to leave their side at 1/57 going into the second morning.
Match Scores:
New Zealand – 370 (65.4)
Australia – 1/57 (20)
Australia ran riot over New Zealand in the opening Test, taking down the hosts by an innings and 52 runs. New Zealand will be looking to pull it back for their retiring skipper in the second outing of the series. Join all the action coming out of Christchurch on The Roar from 8:30am (AEDT).
The Aussies need only a draw to claim top spot in the Test rankings for a record-equalling third reign at the top as captain Steve Smith pursues the No.1 ranking in all formats.
Contrastingly, New Zealand find themselves needing an outright win to maintain their home series record, having not lost at home since 2012.
Hagley Oval will also be playing host to just its second Test match when play gets underway this morning, with a real green top expected to greet the players.
The pitch has been a big talking point in the last few days with a few images of the strip coming across looking like a bowling green, however, it is expected to flatten out throughout day one much like in the first Test. “I think it actually looks pretty similar to the last wicket the day before the game,” Smith said.
In team news, the hosts will be without Doug Bracewell for the second Test after being ruled out with a shoulder injury, suffering a strain in the rotator cuff muscle during the first Test.
A replacement hasn’t been formally announced but it’s widely considered that right arm seamer Matt Henry will make the side.
For Australia, James Pattinson returns to the line up after missing the first Test through a fitness cloud to replace the injured Peter Siddle who struggled with back pains in the series opener.
Pattinson will no doubt bring the much needed extra pace to the bowling attack and cause some real headaches for the New Zealand batting line up.
With the kiwis riding an emotional high as their inspirational skipper Brendon McCullum plays his 101st and final Test match, can the home side send their leader out with a win? Or will Australia climb the rankings mountain and spoil the party?
Find out on The Roar with every run and big wicket from 8:30am (AEDT).
Listen to the Test on WhiteLine Wireless. WhiteLineWireless is on Mixlr
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