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On this day eight years ago, Brendon McCullum played his 101st and last test match. Currently, in the midst of revolutionary cricket known as Bazball as the head coach of the England cricket team, McCullum was once feared by the bowlers. Here is a look at the record-breaking ton from McCullum in his last test against Trans-Tasmanian rivals, Australia in Christchurch.
Australian fast bowlers wreak havoc
After winning the first test comfortably, Australia had no hesitation in bowling first after winning the toss in the final test. The decision from skipper, Steven Smith proved to be a great one as he was backed by his fast bowlers.
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James Pattinson was the first Australian bowler to be among the wickets. The right-arm fast bowler dismissed opening batter Martin Guptill with a short ball which angled in. Guptill edged the ball to his thigh pad giving Joe Burns a diving catch. Jackson Bird dismissed Guptill’s partner, Tom Latham. The wicket came thanks to an exceptional piece of fielding from Steven Smith at second who dove in front of the first slip to take the catch. Josh Hazlewood after a wicketless first spell struck in his second spell to dismiss Henry Nicholls. It was an in-seamer from Hazlewood which trapped the Kiwi batter in front of the stumps. Nicholls wicket meant that Kiwi skipper, Brendon McCullum entered the crease.
Brendon McCullum goes all guns blazing
Before unleashing his spectacular and record-breaking wrath on the Aussies, McCullum had to watch his successor, Kane Williamson get dismissed by Mitchell Marsh thanks to another sensational catch from Smith. McCullum came to the crease at 32 for 3 with the pitch assisting the Australian fast bowlers. He began his counter-attacking punch and it will be safe to say despite all his talent he needed luck to be on his side. Before lunch, McCullum had shown signs of aggression as he smashed two sixes and fours each off Marsh’s over to become the player with the most sixes in test cricket. Soon after lunch, Marsh had almost gotten rid of the Kiwi skipper. Pattinson continued his spell after lunch and had dismissed McCullum in his final test but as it turned out the fast bowler had overstepped giving McCullum a reprieve. It was a cut shot from McCullum and Marsh, fielding at gully had taken a one-handed stunner diving to his right only to have their joy ruined in a few moments.
McCullum made sure that the Aussies paid for their mistake as he smashed 61 runs in just 24 balls after being handed a second chance. In amidst of this aggressive stroke play, McCullum smashed the record for the fastest ton in test cricket. His century in 54 balls broke the record held jointly by Vivian Richards and Misbah ul Haq who brought up their triple-figure scores in 56 balls. Pattinson had a tough day in the field as the crowd at Christchurch chanted ‘no-ball – no-ball’ when he went to field in the deep.
Anderson joins the party
While McCullum looked in full flow to sign off from international cricket in style his partner at the other end, Corey Anderson was also looking in full flow and was helping his skipper in undoing all the hard work done by their opponents. The duo shared a 179-run stand in 112 balls for the fifth wicket and had put the Steven Smith-led side in a spot of bother before McCullum was dismissed. McCullum was finally dismissed by Pattinson after scoring 145 runs in just 79 balls hitting 21 fours and six sixes. Fifties from Anderson and BJ Watling and cameos from Matt Henry and Tim Southee down the order helped New Zealand score 370 runs in the first innings after being 32-3 and 74-4 at one stage.
Burns and Smith spoil McCullum’s farewell
The New Zealand pacers were expected to strike early like their counterparts from Australia did in the first innings. Trent Boult had dismissed David Warner early in the innings but did not find much success for a while. On day 2, Boult dismissed Usman Khawaja but then a partnership between opener Joe Burns and Smith crushed all the hopes New Zealand had of drawing the series.
The duo shared a 289-run stand for the third wicket and in the process made their respective centuries. Burns was dismissed by Neil Wagner but not before he scored 170 runs in 321 balls smashing 20 fours. Wagner also claimed the wicket of Smith but the Australian skipper had scored 138 runs in 241 balls hitting 17 fours before being dismissed. Adam Voges too hit a half-century as Australia scored 505 runs.
New Zealand fight back
After conceding a lead of 135 runs, no one expected New Zealand to have a say in the match but a great knock of 97 runs from Williamson and a half-century from Henry helped New Zealand score 335 runs. Brendon McCullum in his final innings in international cricket scored 25 runs in 27 balls before being dismissed by Hazlewood.
Australia wins comfortably
Chasing 201, there were no major hiccups for Australia as the heroes from the second innings, Burns and Smith hit half-centuries and won the match by 7 wickets.
