New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum made history with the fastest ever Test century, while Australia reached stumps for the loss of just one wicket on day one of the second Test in Christchurch.

McCullum celebrates with his wife Ellissa and daughter Maya. Photo: Getty

McCullum, in his final Test appearance, reached his ton off just 54 deliveries at Hagley Oval, smashing 16 fours and four sixes in the process, before he was eventually dismissed for 145.

• Watson secures $1.9m IPL deal 
• Aussies wrap up huge Test win in Wellington
• ‘Sir Don’ Voges talks down bumper batting average

The Black Caps were all out for 370, with Nathan Lyon (3 for 61) claiming three wickets, before Australia ended day one on 1 for 57.

Joe Burns (27) and Usman Khwaja (18) were the not-out batsman, with opener David Warner the only Australian dismissal when he caught by Martin Guptill off Trent Boult for 12.

McCullum broke the previous record of 56 deliveries set by West Indies great Viv Richards against England 30 years ago and by Misbah-ul-Haq for Pakistan against Australia in 2014.

Master Blaster Viv Richards: His record falls. Photo: AAP

His century took 79 minutes, the fourth fastest on time behind Jack Gregory who hit 100 in 70 minutes against South Africa in 1921.

It was the 12th hundred of McCullum’s career and included 17 fours and four sixes.

The 34-year-old went to the middle with New Zealand 3 for 32 and by the time he reached his record the score had improved to 4 for 175.

It was a masterclass of aggression from McCullum after Australia won the toss and made the Black Caps bat on a green wicket.

Although the call paid dividends for Australia in the early overs, McCullum blasted his side back into the contest.

With the first of the six sixes he hit he overtook Australian Adam Gilchrist’s record for the most Test sixes and finished with a new mark of 106.

McCullum received a standing ovation when he went to the middle and they stood and applauded again as he left after the trademark swashbuckling performance.

On 45 he was brilliantly caught in the gully by Mitchell Marsh only for replays to show the James Pattinson delivery was a no ball.

McCullum added another 100 runs before Pattinson finally claimed the wicket when the ball was snared by a diving Lyon at long leg.

McCullum’s enjoying his final summer of international cricket. Photo: AAP

Anderson, who featured in a match-changing 179-run stand with McCullum, had been a willing partner in attacking the boundary with eight fours and four sixes in his innings.

Guptill had tried the same aggressive approach at the head of the innings, reaching 18 before Pattinson caught the outside edge with a ball that nipped back and Joe Burns held the catch at short leg.

The other top order batsmen tried to graft it out with Kane Williamson facing 69 deliveries for his 7, while Tom Latham faced 40 balls for 4.

The Black Caps’ innings ended when BJ Watling was out for 58, caught Burns off Jackson Bird.

ABC/AFP