New Zealand's Corey Anderson blasts fastest century in history of one-day internationals

Corey Anderson celebrates after scoring the fastest century in history (AFP)

Corey Anderson hit the fastest century in one-day international history for New Zealand against West Indies in Queenstown. The 23-year-old all-rounder took just 36 balls to reach three figures, beating the previous record of 37 by Pakistan's Shahid Afridi which had stood for 17 years.

The home side amassed 283 for 4 in just 21 overs during the rain-shortened match, with Anderson unbeaten on 131 with 14 sixes. He was supported by Jesse Ryder, whose 104 was the sixth fastest ODI century, taking 46 deliveries. It was Ryder's second match back after a nightmarish 2013. He had to be put in an induced coma last March when he was attacked outside a nightclub.

The pair put on 191 for the fourth wicket. The mayhem began in the 12th over, bowled by Jason Holder, which went for 19 runs. Anderson hit four sixes in the next over, off Sunil Narine, and did so again two overs later off Ravi Rampaul.

At that stage he had hit 10 sixes in 16 deliveries. He then pulled Nikita Miller for six to sneak past Afridi's mark, in an over that went for 27 runs. The tourists managed 124 for 5.

Anderson was not aware of the scale of his achievement. "I didn't have a clue actually," he admitted. "It's not that I'd look it up and try and take it down. But it's nice to have it. I thought I would look at singles and try and get myself in but a couple came out of the middle and you keep going."