Brendon McCullum struck the fastest ever test century in a blistering counter-attack that dragged his side back into the second test against Australia, with New Zealand 273 for six at tea on the first day on Saturday. The New Zealand captain, playing his 101st and final test, reached his 12th test century from just 54 balls as he and Corey Anderson bludgeoned the visitors' attack in a scintillating 75 minutes after lunch at Hagley Oval. McCullum was dismissed for 145 when Nathan Lyon took a good catch in the deep to end a 179-run partnership with Anderson, who reached his fourth test half-century from 39 balls and was dismissed for 72 shortly before tea.

He also hit four sixes in his first 100 runs, his first before lunch securing outright ownership of the record for career sixes in test cricket. He had started the day tied with Adam Gilchrist on 100 career sixes. Martin Guptill (18), Tom Latham (four) and Henry Nicholls (seven) all fell before lunch with Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird grabbing a wicket each.

Australia hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after an innings and 52 run victory in the first game in Wellington.