In his last international Test match, New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum went out with a bang, smashing the fastest Test century of all time in just 54 deliveries! To celebrate his achievement, and the fact he’s in CPL 2016, we’ve looked back at our favourite moments of when world cricket was played just that little bit louder and got the world talking.
Brendon McCullum - Fastest Test 100 of All Time
Arriving at the crease with his team 32-3 against Australia, McCullum embarked on one of the greatest counterattacks in Test history. After 50 balls, the New Zealand skipper was on 82. McCullum registered three figures just four balls later, smashing Josh Hazlewood for six, four, four and then on 96, McCullum charged down the wicket clubbing Hazlewood over extra-cover to bring up his ton off just 54 deliveries.
McCullum left the field to a standing ovation having hit a memorable 145 from only 79 deliveries, featuring 21 fours and six sixes. Not only did he break a record, he left his mark on Test cricket.
Lara’s 400 Not Out
In 1994, West Indies batsman Brian Lara broke the world record for the highest Test score against England. Ten years later he was at it again, hitting 400 not out against England once more. Facing 582 deliveries, Lara smashed 43 fours and four sixes, which cemented the Trinidadian a permanent place in the history books.
AB de Villiers - Fastest Century
One of the finest one day players to grace the game, AB de Villiers smashed his way to the fastest century recorded in one-day international cricket. Ripping up the records books, AB de Villiers pummelled the West Indian attack to all corners of the ground at the Wanderers, bringing up his century in just 31 deliveries.
Andre Russell's CPL Heroics
Arriving at the crease in the 14th over, the Tallawahs required 76 runs off the final 40 balls of the game. Farming the strike, Andre Russell reduced the deficit to 10 runs off the final 2 balls. With defeat looming for the Tallawahs, Russell pulled off the unthinkable smashing Jimmy Neesham’s penultimate delivery over extra cover for four. Needing six runs off the final delivery, the big hitting all-rounder smashed a massive six over cow corner sending the crowd at Sabina Park into a frenzy.
Kieron Pollard's IPL catch
Using his height superbly, the 6ft 5in tall Trinidadian one-handedly caught the dangerous Kevon Cooper on the boundary. After catching the ball, Pollard lost his balance. Aware of his surroundings, the Trinidadian threw the ball into the air as he went over the ropes. He then jumped back in to complete one of the finest catches ever seen in T20 cricket.
Yuvraj Singh 6 Sixes
Following New Zealand’s victory over South Africa earlier in the day, England had already been dumped out of the T20 tournament. On the other hand, India needed a victory to be in with a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
The venue was Kingsmead, Durban, and the bowler was Stuart Broad. Yuvraj Singh smashed six sixes in the over, recording an unforgettable 12-ball half-century.
Al Hasan, Six for Six
Often unsung heroes, it’s important to remember that it’s bowlers that win you cricket matches. Claiming six wickets for six runs in four overs, Al Hasan single handedly won the game for Barbados against Trinidad in the CPL. Using a combination of experience and skill, Al Hasan recorded one of the most memorable spells of T20 bowling ever seen in the game.
A Devon Thomas Spectacular
A wicketkeeper by trade, Devon Thomas took a magnificent catch to dismiss the explosive Barbadian batsman Dwayne Smith here in the CPL. Looking to take the game to the bowlers, Smith attempted to loft a full delivery over mid-off, but failed to get the elevation he required.
Shane Warne vs Andrew Strauss
When we look back on Warne’s career, we immediately think of his magic delivery a.k.a ‘ball of the century’ that he bowled to England’s Mike Gatting. However, even Warne himself acknowledged, his delivery to Strauss back in 2005 was arguably his best ever ball… and we certainly agree.
Chris Gayle 12 ball 50
If we are talking cricket and entertainment, then we have to talk about Chris Gayle! Cricket’s loudest personality, Gayle constantly entertains the cricketing world with his power hitting and match winning performances. His supreme innings for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash earned him a well-deserved place on our list.
With the Melbourne Renegades requiring 171 from 16 overs to qualify for the Big Bash finals, Chris Gayle simply exploded, smashing four successive sixes in the first over of the innings from youngster Greg West. Gayle’s innings equalled the fastest fifty in the history of T20 cricket, taking just 12 balls to reach the mark during an unbelievable knock.
With endless amounts of loud, memorable moments to choose from, if we’ve not included your favourite cricketing moment in our list, tweet us it today @CPL and we’ll share our favourites.
