Brendon McCullum Leads New Zealand
Brendon McCullum Leads New Zealand – Brendon McCullum is poised for a fifth Test century heading into the final day of New Zealand’s first Test against Australia in Wellington after he and the captain Daniel Vettori inspired a much-needed fightback.
When Australia declared at 459 for five midway through the second day, then skittled the hosts for 157 and had them 187 for five in the follow-on at the end of day three, New Zealand looked doomed.
But a record sixth-wicket partnership of 126 between Vettori and McCullum, then an unbroken stand of 60 between McCullum and Daryl Tuffey, showed New Zealand had found some backbone and helped them to 369 for six, a lead of 67 runs, when play was called off for bad light just before 6pm on a weather-affected fourth day.
McCullum’s unbeaten 94 included 11 boundaries and a six, which flew out of the ground in the severely windy conditions, while Tuffey’s 59-ball 23 not out included two fours and a six.
The teams were buffeted throughout the day by strong winds that gusted over 120 kilometres an hour at the Basin Reserve.
The weather played havoc with the technology required by the umpire decision review system, as the cameras used to track the ball and rule on no balls were unable to provide accurate data in the windswept conditions.
Tags: 6pm, Accurate Data, Backbone, Basin Reserve, Boundaries, Brendon Mccullum, Captain Daniel, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Fifth Test, First Test, Havoc, Strong Winds, Test Century, Two Fours, Umpire, Weather, Wellington, Wicket Partnership, Windy Conditions
Posted in Sport
No Comments