New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is getting faster and faster as his record-breaking season hits milestone after milestone.
McCullum bludgeoned the fastest century in his country’s Test history as they raced to 4-215 at tea on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.
The 33-year-old had scored 102 of them off 75 balls, in the process becoming the first Black Cap to reach 1000 runs in a calendar year.
His century came off 74 deliveries, beating the national record of 78 balls he set in his previous innings – on the way to a brutal 202 in the third Test win over Pakistan at Sharjah last month.
It continues a dream 2014 in which McCullum became New Zealand’s first triple-centurion, against India in Wellington in February.
The Sri Lankans had no answer for his raw power on Friday, conceding 10 fours and five sixes, all in the second session.
Ross Taylor was run out for seven when he slipped mid-pitch in the first over after lunch, marking the start of a 126-run partnership between McCullum and Kane Williamson.
Williamson contributed 20 of them before he was bowled by Dhammika Prasad for 54 shortly before tea, his innings having lost momentum after the McCullum fireworks began.
He should have been dismissed on 39 but Suranga Lakmal dropped a dolly return catch from a mis-hit pull shot.
New Zealand lost the toss and openers Hamish Rutherford (18) and Tom Latham (27) made sound starts on a green surface before both succumbed to loose strokes.
The recalled Rutherford’s lean trot continued, having failed to pass 50 in his last 13 Test innings.
Right-arm seamers Prasad, Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga took a wicket each but none were especially threatening while offspinner Tharindu Kaushal (0-46 off seven overs) suffered at the hands of McCullum in a daunting Test debut.
The Test began in bizarre circumstances when both opening bowlers slipped over at the crease before bowling their first delivery.
The second tumble, from Eranga, prompted ground staff to delay play for 10 minutes to roughen up the delivery area.
A sold-out crowd of about 8000 enjoyed sunny conditions at Hagley Oval, New Zealand’s picturesque eighth Test venue.
The Black Caps omitted seamer Doug Bracewell and batsman Dean Brownlie while Sri Lanka named Kaushal in the absence of the injured Rangana Herath.