McCullum becomes first New Zealand triple-centurion in snatching draw from India

Brendon McCullum finished on 302, making him just the third man to score double and triple tons in consecutive Tests, as the Black Caps secured a draw with India on Tuesday and a 1-0 series victory.

New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum celebrates his triple century against India on the final day of the second Test v India. Ross Setford/ SNPA / AP

Brendon McCullum became New Zealand’s first triple-centurion in 84 years of Test cricket Tuesday, securing a famous series win against India and uniting the country in praise.

The bearded captain, 32, who is carrying multiple injuries, batted for nearly 13 hours for a match-saving 302 which put him in the company of all-time greats Don Bradman and Wally Hammond.

Wellington’s Basin Reserve erupted in a standing ovation as McCullum cut Zaheer Khan for four to bring up the triple century, and the applause resumed just two balls later when he was out caught behind.

McCullum’s 302 surpassed Martin Crowe’s 299 – compiled at the same ground in 1991 – to become the highest score by a New Zealander in 391 Tests since 1930.

After his 224 in the first-Test win, it made him just the third man after Australia’s Bradman, and England’s Hammond in the 1930s, to score double and triple tons in consecutive Tests.

“I’m very respectful of all the guys I managed to get past today, Martin Crowe in particular who’s held the record for over 20 years,” said McCullum after the Test was drawn, handing New Zealand a 1-0 series victory.

“I almost feel a little embarrassed to go past someone of that calibre, and Stephen Fleming and all the other names as well. It’s incredibly humbling to put your name up there and score the first triple century for New Zealand.”

The number five batsman came to the crease before lunch on Sunday, with wickets falling and New Zealand staring at a series-levelling defeat in the second Test.

Seven hundred and fifty-nine minutes later, after facing 559 balls and despite back and shoulder problems, he departed with the match saved and with New Zealand even dreaming of an improbable victory.

Along the way, he took part in a world-record, 352 sixth-wicket partnership with BJ Watling and helped New Zealand reach their highest Test score of 680.

And Jimmy Neesham’s 137, against a tiring Indian attack, was the highest Test debut by a number eight batsman.

McCullum finally fell about 45 minutes into the final day as fans, many of whom took the day off work, were still arriving at the ground in the New Zealand capital.

After New Zealand declared at 680 for 8, their highest Test score, India saw out the match on 166 for 3 – with Virat Kohli hitting an unbeaten 105 – to ensure the draw.

Prime Minister John Key was quick to congratulate McCullum, calling his innings “outstanding”, while Ross Taylor, who ceded the captaincy acrimoniously in 2012, said it was “amazing”.

His father Stu McCullum said he was pleased at how his son, once known as a brutal short-form specialist, had been able to adapt to the demands of Test cricket.

“He’s changed, possibly, the way he treats the innings in front of him at the time. Obviously the team certainly required him to do that and he’s done that the last two Tests. He likes to stand up to a challenge,” he said, according to the stuff.co.nz website.

“He has been a dasher and will probably be a dasher in the future again as well. But the situation’s required him to do what he’s done and I’m very pleased the way he’s gone about it.”

Only 24 cricketers have broken the 300 barrier, four of them twice – including West Indian Brian Lara, who holds the world record for the highest Test innings of 400.

The innings may also be seen as further vindication for McCullum, who became captain 16 months ago in controversial circumstances when popular skipper Taylor was dumped.

New Zealand then went a year without a Test win. But in recent months, McCullum has led them to a 2-0 series victory over the West Indies and now a 1-0 series triumph over India.

Coupled with the 4-0 one-day series win over India, the Black Caps’ form will give them a huge boost as they prepare to co-host the World Cup with Australia next year.