The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : McCullum, Vettori defy Australian attack

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McCullum, Vettori defy Australian attack

WELLINGTON: Brendon McCullum (94 batting) and Daniel Vettori (77) resisted Australia's push for victory on a shortened fourth day of the first cricket Test at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

The pair added 126 for the sixth wicket, ensuring that Australia would have to bat again for a win. McCullum then put on 60 with Daryl Tuffey for the unbroken seventh wicket. As a result, New Zealand ended Monday 67 runs ahead.

Australia managed only one wicket in the 52 overs that were bowled on a day interrupted often by gale-force winds, rain, and poor light.

The touring side was guilty of missing chances it would normally take, but nothing should be detracted from the knocks of McCullum and Vettori. McCullum focussed on batting time, playing with greater discipline than has been common in his Test career.

He struck 11 fours and hooked a six that cleared the ground during his 178-ball innings.

Vettori scored quickly, employing a wide range of unconventional stroke-play.

The New Zealand captain was bowled by off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, but McCullum made sure the home side continued the fight.

Weather rules

The wind wreaked havoc with the tools for decision review: the Hot Spot cameras had to be taken down while the projection tracking system wobbled in the gale, which made it unreliable.

Australia asked for a review of a leg-before decision against McCullum off Hauritz when the batsman was on 52.

With the projected path unavailable, the on-field decision (not out) stood.

Australia didn't lose its review.

Australia — 1st innings: 459 for five decl.

New Zealand — 1st innings: 157.

New Zealand — 2nd innings: B. Watling lbw b Bollinger 33, T. McIntosh c Katich b Hauritz 83, P. Ingram c Haddin b Bollinger 1, R. Taylor lbw b Haurtiz 25, M. Guptill c North b Harris 6, D. Vettori b Hauritz 77, B. McCullum (batting) 94, D. Tuffey (batting) 23; Extras (b-1, lb-14, nb-11, w-1): 27. Total (for six wkts. in 124 overs): 369.

Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-78, 3-115, 4-136, 5-183, 6-309.

Australia bowling: Bollinger 23-3-65-2, Harris 19-3-62-1, Johnson 28-7-99-0, Hauritz 49-16-119-3, North 5-2-9-0 .

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