NZ's Anderson breaks Afridi’s fastest ODI century record

Corey Anderson of New Zealand walks from the pitch at the end of the inning after scoring the fastest century in history during the third international one day cricket match between New Zealand and the West Indies in Queenstown on January 1, 2014. (AFP)

New Zealand's Corey Anderson clubbed the fastest century in the history of one-day international cricket — from 36 balls — as the hosts reached 283-4 from only 21 overs in Wednesday's rain-shortened third one-dayer against the West Indies.

The young all-rounder hit 12 sixes and four fours in his 100, beating, by one delivery, the 37-ball record of Shahid Afridi against Sri Lanka which has stood for almost 18 years.

Anderson finished on 131 not out from 47 balls, as New Zealand scored at an extraordinary 13 runs per over.

He put on 191 for the fourth wicket with Jesse Ryder who made 104 from 51 balls — the sixth-fastest century in one-day internationals. Ryder is in his comeback to international cricket after a two-year absence.

Captain Brendon McCullum set the momentum of the New Zealand innings when he smashed 33 from 11 balls, coming in following the dismissal of opener Martin Guptill for one after the home team was sent in to bat.

McCullum plundered 24 runs from his first five balls, and Ryder joined in, hitting consecutive sixes from Jason Holder as the pair raced to a 50-run partnership from 18 deliveries.

Ryder took over when McCullum was out caught in the deep, and dashed to his half century in 24 balls with four fours and four sixes.

Ryder, who was for a duck in his comeback game at the start of this series, was back to his most belligerent form on Wednesday, but was overshadowed by Anderson who played one of the most remarkable innings in the history of one-day cricket.

Anderson reached 50 from only 30 balls, with two fours and six sixes and after hitting four consecutive sixes from the bowling on of Sunil Narine. He then repeated the feat and hit four sixes in an over from Rampaul whose three overs conceded 64 runs.

Anderson was 95 not out after 35 balls, needing a six off the next ball to break Afridi's record. Though unaware of the beckoning record, he swatted the next ball from spinner Nikita Miller out of the ground to break the world record.

He hit another six from the next ball to raise a 150-run partnership with Ryder in only 36 minutes.

Ryder reached his century from 46 balls and was out five balls from the end of the New Zealand innings for 104, which included five sixes and 12 fours.