McCullum blitzkrieg stuns Sri Lanka

A devastating Brendon McCullum innings has ended just short of what would have been a world record double-century for New Zealand against Sri Lanka.

A sold-out crowd of 7698 on hand for the maiden Test at Hagley Oval basked in warm conditions made hotter by McCullum's blade, which dismantled the tourists, blasting 195 off 134 balls in their 429-7.

He had plenty of time to beat the double-ton speed record of 153 balls, set by compatriot Nathan Astle against England 13 years ago, also in Christchurch.

He punched the air with frustration when caught by Dimuth Karunaratne at long off, handing offspinner Tharindu Kaushal a memorable first Test wicket - even if it came at a fearful cost of 117 runs off 15 overs.

McCullum blitzed 18 fours and 11 sixes, christening New Zealand's eighth Test venue in style in 200 memorable minutes..

Five more runs would have also seen him match the exclusive 2012 feat of Australian Michael Clarke, who scored a triple century and three double tons.

Having been sent in on a green surface, the Black Caps limped to 88-3 just after lunch before McCullum, who already had a triple century and two double centuries to his credit this year, strode to the crease.

The 33-year-old put on 126 for the fourth wicket with Kane Williamson (54) and 153 with James Neesham (85), the latter a fifth-wicket record for New Zealand against Sri Lanka.

McCullum could at least reflect on a host of other milestones as he walked off with the scoreboard reading 367-5.

He beat his own record for the fastest Test century by a Black Cap. His 74 balls faced was four less than it took him during his previous innings a month ago, when he went on to reach 202 against Pakistan in Sharjah.

The 33-year-old is also the first New Zealander to notch 1000 Test runs in a calendar year, surpassing the mark when blasting Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews for six soon after lunch.

The previous New Zealand best in a calendar year was 871 by John R Reid in 1965.

That mark has also been passed this year by Kane Williamson, who scored 54 on Friday to improve to 898.

The leading worldwide scorer this year was in the field, with Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara having compiled 1431 runs.

Sangakkara gifted McCullum some extra runs on Friday, shelling a relatively easy outfield catch when the New Zealand skipper was on 153.

McCullum's 92 sixes in Tests is a New Zealand record - surpassing Chris Cairns' 87 - and the fourth-most by any player.

A highlight was 26 runs off the 55th over of the innings, bowled by seamer Suranga Lakmal, equalling Craig McMillan's New Zealand record against Pakistan at Hamilton in 2001.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Tom Latham, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, James Neesham Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner/Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Prasanna Jayawardene, Tharindu Kaushal, Dhammika Prasad, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal