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McCullum blows Australia off course

22 March 2010

Brendon McCullum has lift-off during his 52-over stay today which left him 94 not out at stumps and all results possible

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Brendon McCullum gave New Zealand hope of avoiding defeat in the first Test by withstanding Australia’s attack and high winds for the 52 overs possible at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

McCullum resumed on four and closed six runs short of his fifth Test century as the Black Caps took a 67-run lead.

That had seemed improbable 24 hours earlier when they were 115 behind with five second-innings wickets left, having been asked to follow on.

However, record sixth-wicket partnership of 126 with Daniel Vettori, followed by an unbroken stand of 60 with Daryl Tuffey, helped the hosts to 369 for six when play was called off for bad light just before 6pm.

McCullum's unbeaten 94 included 11 fours and a six, which flew out of the ground, while Vettori contributed 77 and Tuffey 23 not out.

The teams were buffeted throughout the day by strong winds that gusted over 120kph in the capital, which is renowned for such conditions.

The gales played havoc with the technology required by the decision review system, as the cameras used to track the ball and rule on no-balls were unable to provide accurate data.

McCullum benefitted early in the middle session when he did not offer a shot to a Nathan Hauritz ball that turned sharply and rapped him on the pads.

Ricky Ponting called for the review but, without accurate information, Asad Rauf's original not-out decision could not be overturned.

It prompted a discussion between a clearly unhappy Australia skipper and the umpires before Vettori, who had survived a caught-and-bowled chance off Mitchell Johnson, joined the debate and it was ruled Australia would not lose the referral under the circumstances.

McCullum had only just brought up his fifty in the over prior to his reprieve, but had also had two other lucky escapes. Ponting grassed a sharp chance at second slip on 38, and Brad Haddin let another go begging when McCullum was on 48.

When bad light forced an early tea, the wicketkeeper was only eight runs short of his ton but had seen the departure of Vettori, who began the day on 18, after the skipper played on to Hauritz.

The duo had broken the previous best sixth-wicket stand against Australia of 110 by Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns, set in Wellington in 1999-2000, and had edged New Zealand into a slender lead.

McCullum and Tuffey continued the rearguard action to frustrate Australia further up to tea and, with only two overs after the interval, all results are possible tomorrow.