McCullum broke several records on the first day vs Sri Lanka.
© AFP
On Boxing Day as many as six Test-playing nations were playing cricket. Our eyes were on Melbourne as India was taking on Australia. But about 1500 miles South East, in Christchurch, cricketing records were being shattered. Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum had decided to dictate the flow of play against Sri Lanka with his aggressive style of play. Though ironically, in the end, he was denied the record of fastest Test double hundred. However McCullum still carved his place in cricketing history.(McCullum Narrowly Misses Out on Fastest Double Ton)
Brendon McCullum says that he is not good with numbers. That, according to him, is a statician's domain. But when he steps out on the field, it is not just the bowlers but the record books that he toys with too. He did that once again on Boxing Day, a day which will now have a whole new meaning for the Kiwis.(McCullum Puts Kiwis in Charge)
When he came onto the field, the Kiwis were at 88/3 and when he left they were 367/5. For the three hours and twenty minutes that he was at the crease on the opening day of the Test match, he delighted the crowds.
The Kiwi skipper punched his way to the fastest Test century by a New Zealander in just 74 balls. The celebrations in the middle started a ball earlier when McCullum took off his helmet and acknowledged the cheering from the crowd. Little did he realise that it was because of the huge six he had hit over the long off fence, one that took him to 99.
But a ball later, he reached a milestone that no other Kiwi Test batsman has. The staticians had to work overtime to help put this knock into perspective. While McCullum's first 50 took 45 balls, his 2nd and 3rd came in just 29.
He became one of just two batsmen to score over 1000 Test runs this calendar year. His exploits though are far from over as he will come out to bat one more time this year.
McCullum was at his bludgeoning best on Friday, scoring 195 runs in 134 balls. Had he scored 5 more, Baz would have entered the history books for the fastest double century in Test cricket.
For now the record will remain with his compatriot Nathan Astle. But make no mistake, McCullum still finds his name at No. 4 on the list thanks to his double hundred vs Pakistan last month. The only other star on the list of fastest test double tons is Virender Sehwag, who features 3 times.
McCullum's phenomenal 2014 started with the scores of 224 and 302 against India at the beginning of the year. He followed that up with 202 against Pakistan in Sharjah.
Ricky Ponting says that McCullum is in the Adam Gilchrist mould. Indian fans will remember him as the one who lit up the opening night of the first edition of the IPL. But it isn't just T20 cricket, he has shown his brilliance and similar belligerence in Test cricket as well.
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