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On this day 2016: Brendon McCullum’s memorable innings came in the second Test against Australia played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
On this day in 2016: Despite Brendon McCullum’s brilliance with the bat, the Kiwis failed to clinch a win in the Test. (Image: ICC/ X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day In 2016: Brendon McCullum ended his international cricket career on a stunning note. Playing in his 101st and final Test match, the former New Zealand cricketer came up with an epic knock. Facing the Australian bowling attack, McCullum hit the fastest century in the history of Test cricket. McCullum’s memorable innings came on this day (February 20) in the second Test against Australia played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
McCullum breached the three-digit mark off 54 balls to set up a new record. He achieved the feat breaking the previous record jointly held by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq. Richards had scored a 56-ball century against England in Antigua in 1985-86 and this record was matched by Misbah against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014-15.
As fans celebrate a historic achievement, we look back at Brendon McCullum’s iconic innings that came on this day in February 2016.
Brendon McCullum’s historic innings came in the first innings of the second Test against Australia. New Zealand failed to start the Test on a promising note having lost four wickets with 74 runs on the board. McCullum weathered the storm successfully and stitched a much-needed partnership with Corey Anderson. McCullum came down to bat with the Kiwis reeling at 32 at the loss of three wickets in the 20th over.
Brendon McCullum received a golden reprieve on 39. He was caught by Mitchell Marsh but umpire Richard Kettleborough asked for the third official to check the front foot of bowler James Pattinson, and later a no-ball was confirmed.
Brendon McCullum embraced the lifeline gleefully and scored a sublime hundred. While McCullum succeeded in hitting a ton, Corey Anderson returned to the dressing room, scoring 72 runs off 66 balls.
McCullum’s counter-attacking approach paid off as he scored a century off 54 balls. The former New Zealand skipper was dismissed for 145 balls off 79 balls. His stunning knock comprised 21 boundaries and six maximums.
New Zealand’s first innings came to an end at 370. Despite Brendon McCullum’s brilliance with the bat, the Kiwis failed to clinch a win in the Test. Chasing a target of 201, Australia claimed a convincing victory by seven wickets.
