Brendan McCullum's amazing Test innings in Christchurch

[Coolio]

I missed this yesterday as I was at work, but have found a link to the highlights (basically every stroke!).

What better way to end your Test career than to break Sir Viv's record for the fastest ever test century.

Hats off to McCullum for having the balls to play like this when his team were in dire straits at 3 for 30 something.

[Coolio]

For all the non cricket watchers, there is some amazing stroke play and power hitting in this innings. Also have a look at the catch at the 2:35 mark, which was ruled not out after the bowler had over stepped the mark.

Probably the catch of the decade that never was!

[Ken Gargett]

For all the non cricket watchers, there is some amazing stroke play and power hitting in this innings. Also have a look at the catch at the 2:35 mark, which was ruled not out after the bowler had over stepped the mark.

Probably the catch of the decade that never was!

it is a funny game. great innings by mccullum but if patterson does not step over, he is out for not too many, has batted irresponsibly and let his side down badly.

if i was a coach, i would shred any bowler who overstepped. drives me insane. how many wickets are stuffed by this? by so many sides. it is because so often coaches allow them to overstep at practice. i used to ask bowlers why they did it at practice - not that any said, but i'm sure part of it is that you look as though you are bowling better than you are so more chance of getting picked.

but two great knocks by burns and smith in reply. wickets in hand for tomorrow, australia should build a lead and push for the win but you never know. batting last, you'd not want a big target.

[Coolio]

it is a funny game. great innings by mccullum but if patterson does not step over, he is out for not too many, has batted irresponsibly and let his side down badly.

if i was a coach, i would shred any bowler who overstepped. drives me insane. how many wickets are stuffed by this? by so many sides. it is because so often coaches allow them to overstep at practice. i used to ask bowlers why they did it at practice - not that any said, but i'm sure part of it is that you look as though you are bowling better than you are so more chance of getting picked.

but two great knocks by burns and smith in reply. wickets in hand for tomorrow, australia should build a lead and push for the win but you never know. batting last, you'd not want a big target.

Absolutely spot on re. bowlers overstepping ken. It's inexcusable.

I'd love to see us at least 200 runs in front. Good innings by Smith and Burns today.I really wish I'd gone it looks so nice in the park. I think this ground was only 'built' as a replacement for Lancaster Oval, which hasn't been pulled down yet but is obviously ruined after the earthquake.

[Coolio]

thanks for that post missed this while at sydney herf

gasped when i heard this on radio

was looking at ball by ball stats on his Ton and in one particularly over McCullum played five dot balls and a single

overall there was i think 24 dot balls in the 54 ball hundred so only 30 scoring shots!

Some of his clean hitting through the offside leaves me in awe. I know he had some luck, but if he had dreamt of a perfect innings in his final Test match, he must have gone pretty friggin' close to playing it! I hope some of the Aussie/Brit/Kiwi members see this video. Any kiwi BOTL's were probably at the ground to see it live. I think most of NZ was anyway!

[Ken Gargett]

Any kiwi BOTL's were probably at the ground to see it live. I think most of NZ was anyway!

they will be when they come to talk about it in years to come. like three times brizzy's population were at the tied test.

[JohnS]

The McCullum innings changed the momentum of the game and it will be remembered for its aggressiveness. As the game stands after Day 2, I thought Burns' 170 and Smith's 138 were every bit as good as McCullum's 145, albeit achieved with very different methods. Statistically speaking, very few teams have lost after scoring at 5 an over and scoring over 300, usually this momentum is enough to shift the balance in the attacking team's favour.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=runs_per_over;runsmin1=350;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=team;view=innings

The only games lost in that list were NZ's 451 chasing 550 against England (Nathan Astle 222 off 168 balls) and Australia in the 5th test against England at the SCG after Steve Waugh hit a 4 off the last ball of the 1st day to score a century. He was out the next day almost immediately and Gilchrist added about 100 with the last two wickets to score 133 off 121 balls. Both these matches were in 2002-2003.

Then again, Burns and Smith had a partnership of 289 for the third wicket on Day 2, and no Australia/NZ test match has been lost by Australia with a batting partnership of 200 or more for Australia.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;opposition=5;orderby=fow_score;team=2;template=results;type=fow;view=innings

It's been a great test match so far, hopefully there's some more counter-punching performances left in both teams.

[westg]

Congratulations to him , showed us what he was mad of ... that was some raw bludgeoning of a cricket ball... Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazelwood... cant take a trick... James not the first or last no ball he will bowl and miss a wicket because of it .

To all you horrible Kiwi supporters.... that was no where as pretty or as entertaining as Vivs century ....so in your face and I hope we flog you again.

Dave thanks mate ..overseas and just saw this

[Ken Gargett]

Congratulations to him , showed us what he was mad of ... that was some raw bludgeoning of a cricket ball... Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazelwood... cant take a trick... James not the first or last no ball he will bowl and miss a wicket because of it .

To all you horrible Kiwi supporters.... that was no where as pretty or as entertaining as Vivs century ....so in your face and I hope we flog you again.

Dave thanks mate ..overseas and just saw this

westie, patterson not hazelwood. and he is a serial offender.

[Bill Hayes]

Watched his innings live. The ball was moving around a lot and he came in with 4 wickets down. A great innings in that he knew he needed to damage the ball to stop it seaming and swinging. He achieved that after two overs at the crease and just kept going on his merry way. If McCullum doesn't take it to the bowlers I reckon the Kiwis would have been bowled out for 150 to 180 and the match would be effectively over. What was frustrating as an Australian was that the Aussie bowlers didn't pull out many short form tricks like slower balls. It's a bit of a batting paradise now as I watch with the Aussies set to win. But they have to bowl NZ out again and set a high enough total to only bat once perhaps. It will probably go the five days now. Will be interesting to see how McCullum bats in his final test innings - will he bat time or go for it? Lots of interest in this test now.

[Bill Hayes]

Getting more interesting with 4 Aussie bats falling to the three card trick in almost identical circumstances. Ridiculously frustrating. You'd think they'd learn.

[Ken Gargett]

Getting more interesting with 4 Aussie bats falling to the three card trick in almost identical circumstances. Ridiculously frustrating. You'd think they'd learn.

ow the four card trick or 4 for the 3 card. either way, dumb stuff.

still, when the greatest bowler of all time apparently sticks his head into an anaconda's mouth, you have to know that we are not talking rocket science.

[Coolio]

ow the four card trick or 4 for the 3 card. either way, dumb stuff.

still, when the greatest bowler of all time apparently sticks his head into an anaconda's mouth, you have to know that we are not talking rocket science.

Ken I take it you're talking about Warnie and that stupid show he's on? I refuse to watch **** tv like that!

At least it would have shut him up for a minute or two.

[Bill Hayes]

McCullum in again. Pattinson has gone through them. And forward defence first up.

[Tomay]

Was nice to see him put in that performance in the first innings in tough conditions. It's even nicer that Australia are on top, dominating the kiwis as they should be.

[Ken Gargett]

Ken I take it you're talking about Warnie and that stupid show he's on? I refuse to watch **** tv like that!

At least it would have shut him up for a minute or two.

i was. not seen it for a second but i read about it.

that said, i had drinks with warnie a decade or plus ago, after about day 3 or 4 of an ashes game at the gabba. a mate organised it as warnie had just released a few wines. terrific bloke. wonderfully entertaining and he treated every kid, family, drunk, yobbo whoever, who came up for an autograph or to give advice or whatever, brilliantly. was both fun and impressive.