McCullum rues missed milestone

Brendon McCullum signals his attacking intent in his rapid 97 © Getty Images

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Brendon McCullum was pragmatic after he fell cruelly short of a Lord’s hundred once again, having instigated a New Zealand fightback in the first npower Test against England.

Wicketkeeper McCullum, promoted to number five for this series, hit a rapid 97 before being bowled by Monty Panesar off his pads.

The Black Caps closed a weather-hit first day on 208 for six after England captain Michael Vaughan won the toss.

They recovered from 41 for three, the point at which McCullum, who hit 96 in the second innings of the corresponding contest four years ago, arrived at the crease.

“It was bitter-sweet,” admitted McCullum, whose run-a-ball effort was considerably slower than his recent unbeaten 158 in the Indian Premier League.

“Obviously it’s disappointing not to have made a hundred and still be at the wicket but I am very proud to have stepped up to the challenge of moving up the order.

“It takes a bit of bravery at times to play like that because you open yourself up to criticism if it doesn’t come off.

“But I enjoy playing like that. It gives me satisfaction and hopefully when it comes off it gives others satisfaction as well.”

Having reached tea unbeaten on 36, McCullum went on the rampage after the interval to add a further 61 off just 42 deliveries and spearhead a New Zealand fightback..

He had been the epitome of cool in the nineties this time, after a jittery time in 2004, but left-arm spinner Panesar gained revenge for being hit for a towering six when the ball brushed McCullum's pad on to the stumps as he aimed to leg.

“The only thing that was in my mind was that it felt a lot different this time,” said McCullum. “I felt comfortable and calm.

James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of Jamie How, with Stuart Broad

“When I got the pace of the pitch, that was really when I started to be more aggressive.”

England pace bowler James Anderson, who claimed three wickets in helpful conditions, said: “He played magnificently well. When he gets into that sort of mode it’s quite hard to tie him down.”

The hosts were on the receiving end of McCullum’s shuffle and smite tactics over the winter, and Anderson said: “It’s distracting.

“We’ve got plans for him but when he gets into that sort of form, and starts moving around his crease, it’s a little bit off-putting. We got used to it a little bit in New Zealand but it’s still quite tricky.

“He’s quick on his feet, he’s got a good eye and he can be hard to bowl at when he gets going.”

Anderson was the stand-out performer for England, his new-ball spell particularly impressive en route to close-of-play figures of 3-42.

“I seemed to get a rhythm going early on,” said Anderson, who this week spoke of his desire to improve consistency.

“Obviously taking a wicket in the first over settles the nerves and I felt pretty good all the way through.

“Maybe we bowled a little bit short at times but as a whole we are pretty pleased as the wicket didn’t do as much as we thought it might do.”

New Zealand’s strong middle order redressed the balance, as they have a tendency to do, and McCullum reflected: “England are probably on top but for us it’s not a bad day either.

“It’s hard to get too excited about 200 for six but from being 100 for five we could have been bowled out for 150 and then there would only have been one winner.”