How long do the records in International Cricket last? And how quickly do they tumble? Today, at Auckland, Martin Guptill’s 19-ball record for fastest New Zealand fifty lasted barely for 20 minutes. He got out in the seventh over; in came Colin Munro, and he began to treat Sri Lankan bowlers with a ferocity that would humble Ben Stokes. Seven sixes in 14 balls; fifty in 14 balls and the match is over in 10 overs.

Incredulous, but when it comes to New Zealand, this team is consistently making runs at 14+ per over in all flavours of cricket. Strange as it may seem, South Africa scored 143 in as many overs in Nagpur this December; this morning New Zealand scored 147 in 10 overs- 42 minutes to be more exact.