27 March,2009 04:18 PM IST | | PTI
New Zealand's swashbuckling wicket keeper-batsman Brendon McCullum today said he was relieved to have finally scored a hundred against a top side like India after getting his previous two tons against minnows Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
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"It has been so long between hundreds. There were some 90s and 80s in between. No disrespect to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, but to get one against a top quality side like India means a lot," McCullum, who made a cavalier 115 in New Zealand's towering total of 619 for nine declared in the ongoing second Test, said.
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"It has been a long time coming. There was a bit of emotion there as well when I got to three figures. It has been far too long between centuries for my liking. It is nice as well to get it against a side as good as India. It was a good time to bat," he added.
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The dapper wicketkeeper-batsman said he was just about getting into Test mode. "It seems a bit strange that I am starting to find the right tempo after 40-odd Tests. I have to bat for long hours. It has helped with the results I am starting to get, but you always want to do more. An average in the early 30s is not where I want to be in the long term. I want to bump that up to 40-45," he said.
