Baz in tearing hurry

Christchurch, Brendon McCullum came agonisingly close to breaking the world record for the fastest Test double century as he bludgeoned Sri Lanka’s attack around Hagley Oval to lead New Zealand to 429 for seven at the close on the first day of the first Test. McCullum had raced to 195 from 134 balls before the home skipper was caught in the deep by Dimuth Karaunaratne off debutant spinner Tharindu Kaushal, sparking a rush to the exits from the capacity crowd of 8,000 in Christchurch.The existing record was set in the same city when New Zealand’s Nathan Astle took 153 balls to reach his double century against England at Lancaster Park in 2002. The 33-year-old McCullum belted 18 fours and 11 sixes in his innings as he became the first New Zealand batsman to surpass 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year and broke his own national record for the fastest century, which came off 74 balls. Mark Craig was on five after wicketkeeper BJ Watling was trapped lbw for 26 in the final over but the hosts were in a dominant position after they had been asked to bat by Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews on a green pitch. “Once I got under way and managed to create a partnership with Kane (Williamson), the runs began to flow quite nicely,” McCullum said.Brief scores: New Zealand 429/ 7 (McCullum 195, Neesham 85, Willliamson 54) vs SL.

Reuters

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