McCullum smashes World Cup half-century record

Wellington: Skipper Brendon McCullum blazed an 18-ball 50 — the fastest ever half-century in a cricket World Cup match – as New Zealand thrashed England by eight wickets here Friday. McCullum’s innings came after pacer Tim Southee helped bowl out England for just 123 with the best ever ODI figures by a New Zealand player, taking 7-33 from nine overs at the Westpac Stadium.
It was New Zealand’s best bowling in a World Cup match and the third best by any bowler in the tournament’s 11 editions.
McCullum then launched a stunning assault, reaching his fifty from just 18 balls to help his team reach the target in just 12.2 overs. He was eventually dismissed for 77 from 25 balls, with eight fours and seven sixes.
It was the third fastest fifty in One-Day International (ODI) history – two balls short of South African A.B. de Villiers’s record of 16 – and the fastest ever by a New Zealander. (IANS)