Nathan Astle 222 brutal and devastating power-hitting,including 11 6s, smashes the fastest double hundred, 200 off 153 balls against England at Christchurch in March 2002 and creates history and edges past Adam Gilchrist's record of 200 in 213 balls. One of the best cricket innings ever in the 4th innings of a test match chasing 500. Much better than what Virender Sehwag or Kohli could do in the 4th innings chasing above 500.
With a hook shot, he reached his hundred off just 114 balls. And it marked the beginning of one of the most exhilarating counter-attack ever in the history of the game.
Astle knew that with a defensive mindset his team won’t survive. His partner, Chris Cairns was injured and Astle decided to take the entire burden on himself. Meanwhile, England took the new ball to put an end to New Zealand’s resistance.
However, what followed was destruction at its fierce best. England’s top fast bowlers Hoggard and Caddick were sent all over the park as Astle scored his next 50 in just 22 balls. The 4-over old new red ball seemed frightened as it didn’t come back after it was hit over the roofs.. But Astle had no intention to stop. He danced down the track, smashing boundaries and sixes at his will.
Caddick, the man who took 6 wickets in the innings, was hammered for 7 consecutive boundaries, out of which 5 of them were over the ropes. Astle nailed everything that was thrown at him with staggering power. He spared no one. Hoggard was hammered for a volley of boundaries. Andrew Flintoff was punished for massive sixes.
Astle reached the milestone in just 153 balls. His 2nd hundred came in scarcely believable 39 deliveries as New Zealand cruised towards an incredible victory. The required runs came down to 2 digit figures. With his insane hitting, Astle gave life to a match which turned to be a dead rubber after the England’s 2nd innings.