Retiring New Zealand skipper Brendan McCullum scores fastest ever Test century

Retiring New Zealand skipper Brendan McCullum has scored the fastest ever Test century, making the most of a no-ball lifeline, to notch his ton off just 54 balls.

Caught out by Mitchell Marsh on 39, McCullum was given a reprieve when replays showed James Pattinson had overstepped the mark for the wicket-taking delivery.

And the Black Caps skipper made them pay, racing to a record-breaking century to surpass West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards and Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq in his final Test match.

Richards and Misbah took 56 balls to score their centuries, while Australia's Adam Gilchrist notched three figures off 57 balls against England in 2006/07.

McCullum rode his luck to brilliantly on a green top pitch at Hagley Oval to counter Australia's bowling after Steve Smith's men had claimed four wickets.

His innings was peppered with sixes and fours, with the Kiwi leader reaching three figures after charging Pattinson and hitting a ball over the top for four down the ground.

And Australia could only rue the no-ball catch by Marsh, which was lauded at the time by commentators Allan Border and Ian Smith.

"Gee whiz have they taken some rippers or what or what?" said Smith.

Border added: "We've seen some sensational catches but they don't get better than this one."

But once the delivery was ruled a no-ball, Smith said could only hark back to Adam Voges non-dismissal in the First Test when he was bowled off a no ball that was later revealed to be a legal delivery.

"Hello does anyone see an irony in this," the Kiwi commentator said.

"Brendan McCullum has got a second chance because the umpires have got it right.

"(It's a shame for Marsh because it was) probably one of the greatest (catches) he'll ever take (but) it won't matter."