Brendon McCullum played a spectacular knock in his final Test as he smashed a century off 54 balls, the fastest in Test history to put New Zealand on top against Australia on the first day of the second Test in Christchurch.

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Brendon McCullum led New Zealand out for one last time as he prepared to play his final Test match in Christchurch against Australia. (All pictures from AFP)

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McCullum had created a world record when he became the only cricketer to play 100 Tests without missing a single match and he was determined to go out on a high in his home town of Christchurch.

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Australia won the toss and chose to bowl on a green pitch. They had New Zealand in trouble at 32/3 and in walked McCullum. The Australians greeted him with a guard of honour, like they had done in his final ODI in Hamilton.

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Australia had kept McCullum quiet in the first Test and they were determined to spoil his farewell party.

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However, McCullum turned the tables around spectacularly and launched a counterattack which stole the initiative totally from Australia.

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McCullum was severe on all the Australian bowlers and he reached his 50 off just 34 balls as New Zealand's innings sprang back to life.

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After the lunch break, there was a sense of anticipation that there would be a McCullum special. Crowds started to flood in to the Hagley Oval.

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McCullum was joined by Corey Anderson and both batsmen tore into the Australian bowling.

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After the lunch break, McCullum launched into Josh Hazlewood as he slammed a six and three fours to break the world record for the fastest century. He achieved it off just 54 balls, breaking the record held jointly by Sir Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq. It was a knock which redefined a farewell finish.

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McCullum was dismissed for a jaw-dropping 145 off 78 balls and it included 21 fours and six sixes. Along with scoring the fastest century, he also extended his sixes tally to 106, the most in Test cricket. His 172-run stand with Anderson off just 110 had put New Zealand on top on a special day in Hagley Oval.

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Brendon McCullum Blasts World Record Fastest Century in Tests

Brendon McCullum played a spectacular knock in his final Test as he smashed a century off 54 balls, the fastest in Test history to put New Zealand on top against Australia on the first day of the second Test in Christchurch.