Brendon McCullum has blasted the fastest century in Test history, a 54-ball effort that broke the record jointly held by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq. In his 101st and final Test match, McCullum attacked Australia’s bowlers relentlessly. McCullum celebrated to a standing ovation from the crowd at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, raising his bat to all parts of the venue in his adopted home-town. His effort was two balls faster than the previous record 56-ball century scored by Richards against England in Antigua in 1985-86, which was equalled by Misbah-ul-Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014-15.

McCullum was dismissed for 145 when Nathan Lyon took a good catch in the deep to end a 179-run partnership with Anderson.

McCullum had been given a major let-off on 39 when he sliced to gully and was brilliantly caught by a diving Mitchell Marsh. However, umpire Richard Kettleborough asked for the third official to check the front foot of bowler James Pattinson and a no-ball was confirmed.