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New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Record-breaker Brendon McCullum belts 195 off 134 balls

Became first New Zealander to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year

Staff
Friday 26 December 2014 18:59 GMT
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New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum was back in destructive form as he hit 18 fours and 11 sixes in a 134-ball innings of 195 on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.

He was also on course to beat the fastest Test double century (off 153 balls) before holing out to long off.

But the prolific batsman did become the first New Zealander to pass 1,000 runs in a calendar year when he hit his first six, broke his own 78-ball New Zealand record for a fastest century in Tests by four balls and ended the innings with 1,164 runs in the year with the chance of another bat.

He has already passed 200 runs three times in 2014, scoring 224 and 302 against India at the start of the year and 202 against Pakistan in his last Test, last month.

Yesterday, his best stand was 153 for the fifth wicket with Jimmy Neesham, the pair scoring at 7.84 an over while together. Neesham would make 85 from 80 and Kane Williamson a more considered 54 from 98 as New Zealand finished the day on 429 for 7.

Sri Lanka had looked in charge at one point, though, reducing the hosts to 60 for 2 and 80 for 3, but after that it went downhill. There were teething problems for the redeveloped Hagley Oval, with both opening bowlers losing their footing, but they were soon fixed.

In Melbourne, Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith passed 1,000 Test runs for the year as he guided his team to 259 for 5 on the opening day of the third Test against India. Smith made an unbeaten 72 in Melbourne and resumed day two with Brad Haddin (23).

Opener Dean Elgar struck his third Test century as South Africa rode their luck to finish the first day of the second Test against West Indies on 270 for 2.

Elgar, who came into the match with his position under scrutiny, scored 121 as he shared a second-wicket partnership of 179 with Faf du Plessis which frustrated the tourists who were the architects of their own downfall as they let numerous chances slip in the field.

Du Plessis will resume on 99 along with Proteas captain Hashim Amla, who scored a double-century in the first Test in Pretoria and has reached 17.

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