Brendon McCullum (281*) made his third double century in Test cricket. McCullum thus equalled Stephen Fleming’s record of scoring most (3) double centuries in Test cricket for New Zealand.
Interestingly all his three double centuries have come against India. He thus emulated Australia’s Ricky Ponting, who has also scored three double centuries against India.
McCullum’s three double centuries are now the most for a batsman scoring all his double centuries against the same opponent. Before him eight batsmen had scored two double centuries against same opponent – Dennis Amiss (Eng vs WI), George Headley (WI vs Eng), Vinoo Mankad (Ind vs NZ), Bill Lawry (Aus vs WI), Graeme Pollock (SA vs Aus), Glenn Turner (NZ vs WI), VVS Laxman (Ind vs Aus) and Thilan Samaraweera (SL vs Pak).
McCullum’s innings is the second highest for New Zealand after Martin Crowe’s 299 against Sri Lanka also at Wellington in 1990-91. He obliterated the previous highest individual score for New Zealand against India, which was in the name of Graham Dowling when he made 239 at Christchurch in 1967-68.
McCullum reached his 250 with a six (off Mohammed Shami). He became only the fourth batsman in Test annals to reach 250 with a six, after Peter May, Stephen Fleming and AB de Villiers.
McCullum’s run-tally of 514 is the fourth highest for a batsman in a two-match Test series. Incidentally three out of top four performances have come against India, with Sanath Jayasuriya's 571 runs in 1997-98 being the highest.
BJ Watling (124) made his third Test century in his 21st Test – his first against India.
McCullum and Watling put on 352 runs, which is the highest partnership for the sixth wicket in Test history. The pair expunged the previous record stand of 351 between Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardane, also against India at Ahmedabad in 2009-10.
The above partnership is New Zealand’s highest for any wicket against India, beating the 271-run partnership between Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder for the fourth wicket at Napier in 2008-09.
