Three memorable events that happened on March 16 over the years

#2 Fastest double hundred in Test cricket courtesy Nathan Astle

Astle celebrating his breathtaking feat

When: 16 March 2002

Occasion: New Zealand vs England, 1st Test, Christchurch 2002

We witnessed not only a record-breaking but more importantly a trendsetting performance on this date and this time in Test cricket.

When an injured Chris Cairns joined Nathan Astle with the scoreboard reading 9-333 requiring a further 217 runs to win the Christchurch Test of 2002 against England.

Astle then proceeded to take matters into his hands as he launched a scathing attack on the English bowlers.

The right-hand batsman was particularly severe on Andy Caddick launching him over mid-on and over cover for six by regularly stepping out of the crease.

He made a complete mockery of the English attack in a breathtaking display of clean hitting.

Astle en route to a breathtaking display of power hitting required just 153 balls to complete the fastest double hundred, a record that stands till date.

New Zealand may have eventually lost the match by 98 runs but Astle's knock proceeded to leave its everlasting footprints in the minds of the cricketing folklore forever.