SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2014 McCullum whips Sri Lanka CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand’s big-hitting skipper Brendon McCullum was hailed yesterday for his rollicking 195 to dra- matically turn the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. His dominating 134-ball performance which led New Zealand to 429-7 at stumps also carried special significance for the 8,000 people who packed Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. They were looking for an outstanding performance to mark the return of Test cricket to the earthquake-battered city and the signs were against them until McCullum strode to the crease with New Zealand at 88-3. The wicket was green and McCullum, who lost the toss, was forced to bat on a pitch where he desperately wanted to bowl. But within a session and a half he had Sri Lanka on the ropes at the oval, a venue purpose built after the city’s former cricket ground at Lancaster Park was destroyed in the devas- tating 2011 earthquakes which claimed 185 lives. McCullum spreadeagled the field, smashing 18 fours and 11 sixes, in a record-breaking performance that New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan rated the best opening day in New Zealand Test history. “It was a very special day. It was the sort of day this venue and this city deserved with what they’ve gone through,” McMillan said. As McCullum bludgeoned the bowling, he took just 74 balls to crack the fastest century in New Zealand Test history and became the first New Zealander to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year. He equalled McMillan’s New Zealand record of 26 off one over when he smashed three sixes and two fours off six balls from Sri Lanka’s strike bowler Suranga Lakmal. He also equalled the New Zealand record of 11 sixes in an MELBOURNE: Australia’s Brad Haddin (right) hits a cut shot as India’s MS Dhoni (left) watches on during their play on innings, one short of the world record of 12 sixes held by day one of the third cricket Test. —AP Pakistan’s Wasim Akram. In his career, McCullum has now hit 92 sixes, closing in on the world’s best of 100 by Australian Adam Gilchrist. “Even in Australia’s Smith torments India your wildest dreams you would never have picked a day of Test cricket like that, especially when the pitch is a little bit on MELBOURNE: Australia’s Steve Smith good in some respects but it’s also very Burns hoisted Ashwin over mid-wick- the green side and you lose the toss,” McMillan said. played another captain’s knock and disappointing,” Rogers said. “As an et for four in a positive show of confi- “I don’t think I have enough superlatives to describe Chris Rogers and Shane Watson hit opener you do the hard work and put dence at Test level. But he lasted 27 (McCullum’s) innings. “He has the ability to dominate, disman- fifties on the opening day of the third yourself in a position where you can get balls before he attempted a pull shot on tle bowlers very quickly and change the tempo and the way Test against India in Melbourne yester- a big score so to get out like that was 13 and bottom-edged through to Dhoni an innings is heading very quickly. “He’s so destructive. I think, day. disappointing because I felt good today, off Yadav. Warner, who scored twin tons probably the most destructive and domineering player who Before a Boxing Day crowd of almost I felt my feet were going and I had a real in the opening Adelaide Test, was out in has played for New Zealand.” 70,000, Smith joined teammate David desire to get a big score.” the second over of the innings. He only The innings capped a stellar year for McCullum who in Warner in reaching 1,000 Test runs for Watson followed six balls later in off- lasted six balls before he played across February became the first New Zealander to join the elite club the calendar year with his unbeaten 72. spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s seventh Umesh Yadav and edged to Dhawan at of cricketers to score 300 in a Test innings. Against Sri Lanka At the close, Australia were 259 for over with an ill-judged sweep shot and third slip for a duck. Shami and Yadav he starred in two century partnerships-with Kane Williamson five after winning the toss with Brad was out leg before wicket for 52 in 89 finished with two wickets each. (54) and Jimmy Neesham (85) — as he led his side out of trou- Haddin seeking a confidence-boosting balls. Watson had a let off on 37 nearing India made two changes from the ble and put them in command of the Test. innings on 23. Smith passed 50 for the lunch when Shikhar Dhawan fumbled team that lost the second Brisbane Test, When he was eventually undone, caught by a diving fourth time in five innings in this series him at second slip at the third attempt with debutant Lokesh Rahul and Dimuth Karunaratne to give off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal his among them an unconquered 162 in off Shami. Mohammed Shami coming into the maiden Test wicket, McCullum left the ground to a standing Adelaide and 133 in Brisbane. So far he It was Watson’s 23rd half-century in side. ovation. —AFP has amassed 447 runs at 223.5 for the Tests with just a below-par conversion Rahul, who replaced Rohit Sharma, series. Smith, who won his first Test as rate of four centuries in his 55th Test for was selected to bat at number six, while SCOREBOARD skipper in four days in Brisbane last the senior top order batsman. speedster Varun Aaron made way for weekend, was well positioned for his It was the 27th time in 102 Test Shami, who was off the field for injury CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: Scoreboard at stumps on third ton of the series after Rogers and innings Watson had been dismissed leg treatment late in the day. the opening day of the first Test between New Zealand and Watson missed out on cashing in on sol- before wicket. Shaun Marsh again failed Team officials said Aaron was flying id starts. “It’s phenomenal to watch and to go on after a solid start and was home for his grandfather’s funeral and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday: great to be a part of. He is just growing caught behind by Dhoni off Shami with would be returning to Australia by the New Zealand 1st innings day by day and it’s scary to think how no addition to his tea score of 32 off 83 end of the Melbourne Test. T. Latham c Kaushal b Eranga 27 good he can be,” Rogers said of Smith. balls. Debutant Joe Burns was given a Dhoni’s tourists trail 2-0 in the four- “Someone threw a ball back at him rousing welcome as he came out to bat match series after defeats in Adelaide H. Rutherford b Lakmal 18 today and he had the confidence to say at four wickets down and got a roar with and Brisbane, and have not won at the K. Williamson b Prasad 54 a few words back at him so it looks as if his first scoring shot off Shami for three. MCG for 33 years.—AFP R. Taylor run out (Silva) 7 he knows he belongs and he knows he’s B. McCullum c Karunaratne b Kaushal 195 one of the better players in the world at the moment.” Rogers hit his third SCOREBOARD J. Neesham c Sangakkara b Mathews 85 straight half-century of the series and BJ Watling lbw Mathews 26 Watson made 52 in a 115-run stand MELBOURNE: Scoreboard at the close on the opening day of the third Test M. Craig not out 5 before they were dismissed five minutes between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday: apart in the hour after lunch. Extras (lb4, w2, nb6) 12 Australia 1st innings Extras (b1, lb6, w1, nb2) 10 The pair had put on 59 runs off 131 C. Rogers c Dhoni b Shami 57 Total (5 wickets, 90 overs) 259 Total (7 wickets, 80.3 overs) 429 balls for the fourth wicket. Rogers, who D. Warner c Dhawan b Yadav 0 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Warner), 2-115 Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Rutherford), 2-60 (Latham), 3-88 scored 116 in last season’s correspon- ding Boxing Day Test against England, S. Watson lbw b Ashwin 52 (Rogers), 3-115 (Watson), 4-184 (Taylor), 4-214 (Williamson), 5-367 (McCullum), 6-420 pushed at paceman Mohammed Shami S. Smith not out 72 (Marsh), 5-216 (Burns) (Neesham), 7-429 (Watling) Bowling: Lakmal 17-3-83-1 and was snapped up behind by MS S. Marsh c Dhoni b Shami 32 Bowling: I. Sharma 21-6-54-0 (2nb), (1nb), Eranga 18-1-82-1, Mathews 9.3-1-34-2, Prasad 12-2- Dhoni for 57. J. Burns c Dhoni b Yadav 13 Yadav 20-2-69-2, Shami 17-4-55-2 (1w), B. Haddin not out 23 Ashwin 27-7-60-1, Vijay 5-0-14-0. 62-1 (2w), Kaushal 22-0-159-1 (5nb), Thirimanne 2-0-5-0. “I think three scores in the 50s is.