Published: Dec 26, 2014, 11:10 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 26, 2014, 04:59 PM (IST)
Dec 26, 2014
On the back of Brendon McCullum‘s 134-ball 195, New Zealand ended Day One of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Christchurch at an imposing 429 for seven. New Zealand reached the total despite only 80.3 overs being bowled during the day.
New Zealand maintained an incredible rate of scoring ever since the arrival of McCullum at the crease. McCullum took the game to the Sri Lankans from the outset, scoring a counter attacking hundred of 74 balls, which was the fastest Test match hundred by a Kiwi. Records were broken left, right and centre during McCullum’s 134 balls stay at the wicket.
McCullum earned the unique distinction of becoming the sole Kiwi to have registered 1,000 runs in Test cricket in a calendar year. ]McCullum’s innings included 18 fours and 11 hits over the fence. He smashed Suranga Lakmal for an astonishing 26 runs in the 55th over of the innings, hitting him for three sixes and two fours in that over.
McCullum was ably supported by Kane Williamson who scored a valuable half-century and then Jimmy Neesham, who scored a faster than a run-a-ball 85. The wickets of McCullum, who fell five runs short of what would have been his fourth double hundred for the year, and Jimmy Neesham 15 short of his hundred, restored some sanity to proceedings.
Sri Lanka enjoyed further success, as Angelo Mathews struck with the second new ball, getting rid off BJ Watling for 26 in the final over of the day. But the carnage prior to these wickets had New Zealand sitting pretty at 429 for seven on the first day.
Earlier, New Zealand were inserted into bat by Mathews, which appeared to be a decent a decision till very early into the second session when the Sri Lankans had the Kiwis in a spot of bother at 88 for three. Those were the final moments of joy for the tourists as McCullum carted the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground in the post lunch and final sessions.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 429 for 7 (Kane Williamson 54, Brendon McCullum 195, Jimmy Neesham 85; Angello Mathews 2 for 34) vs Sri Lanka
