Brendon McCullum unaware he was making fastest Test century

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had "no idea" he was about to make cricket history when he broke the world record for the fastest Test century on Saturday.

McCullum made a ton in just 54 balls and went on to score 145 in New Zealand's 370 all out on the opening day of the second Test against Australia at Hagley Oval.

West Indian Viv Richards set the previous record of 56 balls against England in Antigua in 1986 and the mark was then equalled by Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

"I had no idea," said McCullum, who is playing in his 101st and final Test. "I was trying to hit every ball for four or six. Viv was my idol growing up so it's nice to be able to go past him on this occasion.

"But he was a cracking player, he was an incredible cricketer. I'm almost a little bit of embarrassed to go past him, to be honest."

McCullum said he knew it was probably going to be his day when he had an "almighty filthy slog" at his second ball, which flew over the slips cordon for four.

After scoring 39, he then enjoyed a huge slice of luck when he sliced James Pattinson to Mitchell Marsh, who took a brilliant, one-handed catch diving to his right in the gully.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough requested a replay which showed Pattinson had bowled a no-ball.

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"I thought it was four as soon as I hit it," McCullum said. "They do push the front line a little bit. It was quite a nice reprieve. It probably loosens you up a little bit as well, it just relaxes you a little bit more.

"You know you're probably not meant to be out there. You may as well play with a little more freedom and I managed to ride my luck all the way through.

"The record is something you're immensely proud of but, of course, you don't set out to achieve it."

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, who eventually caught McCullum off the bowling of James Pattinson, added: "It was pretty amazing striking.

"He's been a credit to the game of cricket with the way he's conducted himself for New Zealand for a long period of time and to see him come out there and do that was pretty amazing.

"He rode his luck but that's the way he's played cricket and I'm sure that's the way he will want to go down at the end of his career - as a person who took the game on."

Watch day two of the second Test between New Zealand and Australia from 9.30pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 2.