Narrowly missing to make the fastest ever one-day fifty, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham smashed Sri Lanka medium-pacer Thisara Perera for 34 runs from an over during the first ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui on Thursday.


The 49th over of the New Zealand innings went for 6, 6, 6, 6, 2nb, 6, 1, much to the delight of New Zealand cricket fans. Apart from Neesham, a brilliant 138 from teammate Martin Guptill helped New Zealand post 7-371 from their 50 overs.


Black Caps batsman managed only a single to claim the equal-third most runs from a single ODI over. It was during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean; Gibbs had smashed six sixes in an over against Netherlands bowler Daan Van Bunge.


Neesham, who finished 47 not out from 13 balls following a huge six over from the final ball of the innings, missed out breaking veteran South African batsman AB de Villiers record for the fastest fifty very much within reach.