New Zealand have always been one cricketing nation that have punched above their weight in all three formats of the game. Having reached the finals of the last two ODI World Cups, they have shown that they have been a successful ODI side. In T20Is too, New Zealand have had some great team performances. But there have been times when an individual has stepped up and just taken the innings by storm, smashing the opposition bowlers. Here we look at the five fastest hundreds by a New Zealand player in T20Is.
- 46 Balls – Glenn Phillips vs WI in 2020
Glenn Phillips has been one of the fringe players in the New Zealand white-ball squad and came into the West Indies series on a back of having played the Caribbean Premier League. Smashing the West Indies bowlers to all parts of the ground, Phillips completed his T20I century in just 46 balls, which is the fastest by a New Zealand player in the shortest format.
It was due to his exploits that New Zealand were able to score a mammoth 238-3 in their 20 overs. West Indies couldn’t do much as they fell short by 72 runs, handing New Zealand a series victory. Phillips; fantastic innings of 108 off just 51 balls included 10 fours and 8 huge sixes.
2. 47 Balls – Colin Munro vs WI in 2018
Colin Munro had established himself as one of the most dangerous T20 openers and used to give fantastic starts to New Zealand. However, he played this one big innings against the West Indies which took his game to the very next level. His brilliant innings of 104 runs off just 53 balls included 3 fours and 10 humongous sixes.
On the back of his brilliant century, New Zealand were able to post a huge total of 243-5 in their 20 overs. West Indies were bowled out for just 124 and handed a huge 119-run victory to New Zealand, suffering one of their biggest defeats in T20 cricket history.
3. 50 Balls – Brendon McCullum vs AUS in 2010
Brendon McCullum at his absolute best could tear apart any pace attack in the world. This was one of the occasions against the mighty Australians in 2010 where he came into his own and punished the Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground. McCullum played a brilliant innings of 116 runs off just 56 balls which included 12 fours and 8 sixes.
New Zealand posted a mammoth target of 214 which incredibly Australia managed to tie thanks to a brilliant innings from Cameron White. However, New Zealand managed to win in the Super Over where Brendon McCullum again played his part.
4. 51 Balls – Brendon McCullum vs BAN in 2012
Brendon McCullum yet again managed to score a quick-fire hundred off just 51 balls against Bangladesh in 2012. This time batting at No. 3, McCullum scored 123 runs off just 58 balls which included 11 fours and 7 sixes. He took the Bangladesh bowlers to the cleaners and absolutely smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. The Bangladesh bowlers had no answer to his magnificent batting and the target ended up being too much for them to achieve.
5. 52 Balls – Colin Munro vs BAN in 2017
Colin Munro makes the list again, this time scoring a blistering hundred off just 52 balls against Bangladesh. His stellar innings included 7 fours and as many sixes. This again helped New Zealand post a mammoth total which was well out of Bangladesh’s reach. The kind of impact that Colin Munro has had along with McCullum for New Zealand at the top of the order in T20Is is like no one else.
