Zealand batsman to score a triple century in
Test cricket. McCullum achieved the
monumental feat against India in the second
Test in Wellington on February 18, 2014.
McCullum was on 298 when he played a late
cut for a four to brake Martin Crowe ‘s New
Zealand record of 299.
McCullum began the day on 281 with New
Zealand at 571 for six. McCullum had already
become New Zealand’s second highest run-
scorer in an innings. He beat Stephen
Fleming ‘s 274 not out against Sri Lanka in
2003. Crowe had scored 299 against Sri Lanka
in 1991. McCullum had scored a double
century against India in the first Test in Auckland.
He made Indian bowlers toil and he raced his
way past the 300-run mark - the highest
individual score by a Kiwi - on Day 5 of the
second Test against India in Wellington.
McCullum's 300 came in the opening session of
play on Tuesday and at a time when his team
desperately needed a big knock to save the
match. The 32-year-old Kiwi skipper reached
the landmark in 557 balls and his innings
included 32 fours and 4 sixes.
McCullum had dominated for most part of Day
three and four with powerful shots all around
the Basin Reserve stadium. It was not just
about aggression however.
McCullum's knock epitomized maturity and he
was smart enough to respect the good
deliveries - avoiding unnecessary risks. He
however did show his sublime class each time
he crossed a landmark. While he had
completed his century on Sunday by
dispatching Ishant Sharma for a six, he
reached his 200 with a firm flick of the pads
off Zaheer Khan in Monday's second session.
This was his third score of two hundred or
more in Tests, all of which have come against
India.
McCullum found a reliable partner in Bradley-
John Watling who was willing to stick it out in
the middle. The duo added a record 352 runs
for the sixth wicket before Watling was
removed by Mohammed Shami.
McCullum though had luck on his side as he
was given a couple of lifelines through the
course of his innings. Dropped twice - by Virat
Kohli and Ishant Sharma, the Kiwi made the
most of this opportunity to get a big score
which was what his team needed after staring
at a first innings deficit of 246. From 94/5,
McCullum crafted a brilliant fight back to leave
the Indians too stunned to look like the second
best Test side in the world.
McCullum's innings ended two balls after
reaching the milestone when he fell to Zaheer
Khan for 302. By then, he had taken the game
well beyond India.
New Zealand declared at 680/8 and set India
435 to win. Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 105 as
India ended the day at 166/3. The match was
drawn and New Zealand won the series 1-0.
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