It’s been nine years since the last Test match in Christchurch, but today it returned with a bang, courtesy of a record-breaking performance from BLACKCAPS captain Brendon McCullum.
The skipper blazed 195 against Sri Lanka and in the process brought up New Zealand’s fastest ever century off 134 balls, breaking his own previous record. His knock saw the BLACKCAPS finish day one at Hagley in the promising position of 429-7.
Before play, both teams had made it pretty clear that they’d opt to bowl first if given the choice, with a spicy green wicket expected to make things tricky for the batsmen. McCullum continued his woeful record with the coin, but would make up for it in spades with the bat.
Returning opener Hamish Rutherford (18) and Tom Latham (27) began with the bat for the BLACKCAPS and lay down good foundations with a stand of 37. Neither went on, but they had seen out the first 13 overs on a difficult pitch – something not to be under-valued.
Kane Williamson (54) and Ross Taylor (7) replaced the duo, but disaster struck early on, with Taylor turning back on a quick single, slipping over and being caught well-short of his ground with a direct hit from JK Silva. It was an untimely wicket to lose, with the BLACKCAPS reduced to a slightly worrisome 88-3.
However, it would be the last time Sri Lanka could claim to have the momentum.
McCullum took little time to find his feet at the crease and signaled his intentions early with a plethora of powerful strokes, boosting New Zealand past the 100 mark. Come the second session, McCullum would fully unleash, setting Hagley alight with fours and sixes.
The 33 year-old scored 101 runs off the session, becoming the second New Zealander after Lou Vincent to achieve the feat. When he reached 31 (unsurprisingly with a six) he became the first New Zealander in history to bring up 1000 Test runs in a calendar year. It would not be the last record he broke.
Continuing to terrorize the Sri Lankan attack, McCullum received his second standing ovation of the day when he took his own record for New Zealand’s fastest Test century. He brought up the milestone off just 74 balls, having whacked fives sixes in the process and replaced Chris Cairns as the New Zealander with the most sixes ever in Test cricket.
Away from the records, the game had totally been taken away from Sri Lanka, with the BLACKCAPS reaching 350-4 in just the 64th over. Jimmy Neesham had joined McCullum and joined in the demolition job.
With just five more runs needed for his fourth double-ton of the year and having faced only 133 balls, McCullum looked like he would cruise to the world-record for fastest double-century, currently held by Nathan Astle off 155 balls. In usual fashion, he looked to bring it up with a six, but on this occasion he would have a rare miscue, finding the fielder in the deep and bringing his exhilarating innings to a close.
The crowd once again rose for captain courageous, who had treated them to 11 sixes and 18 fours in one of the most special knocks they’ll ever see. McCullum had single-handedly taken the game away from Sri Lanka and supplied world-class entertainment in the process.
Neesham took the reins following his departure and played nicely to bring up 85 off 80 balls. His contribution saw the BLACKCAPS go beyond 400 - rare on any first day of a Test, let alone one where you’ve been put in to bat.
Two late wickets in Neesham and BJ Watling (26) were the only somber notes of what had been a wonderful afternoon’s play for the BLACKCAPS. It was a fairytale like return for international cricket to Christchurch and the BLACKCAPS will be eager to capatalilise on their spectacular start.
