5 fastest half-centuries at the ICC Cricket World Cup

#1 Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) - 18 balls vs England, Wellington 2015

The only instance in this list, when the term minnow bashing does not necessarily form the basis of splendid batting fireworks. In the 9th match of the 2015 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup, McCullum gave us a glimpse of his unorthodox batting approach that was set to become the norm in the individual’s campaign for the remainder of the tournament.

Tim Southee’s 7/33 sucked the life out of the English batting, making it hard for the men from England to recuperate.

McCullum can score at a brisk pace.

If Southee’s magical spell didn’t bamboozle the opposition, McCullum’s batting exploits would have definitely made them run for cover. McCullum smashed only the second ball of his innings for a six, a powerful cut shot of the middle of the bat. He further smashed Stuart Broad for three consecutive fours on the last three deliveries of the second over.

Steven Finn was in for a big surprise as McCullum smashed him for 20 runs in his very first over. McCullum had moved to 48(17) in some thumping style. He had to wait for another 8 deliveries before he could be on strike to break his own world record. He did it in some fashion, sending the last four deliveries of Finn’s second over for four gigantic sixes.

The McCullum storm finally came to an end when he was dismissed for a brilliant 77 from 25 balls. His innings lined with 8 fours and 7 sixes. NZ chased the target of 124 in just 12.2 overs.