McCullum defies England but falls short of deserved ton

Published on Thursday 15 May 2008 23:03

NEW Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum perished in the nineties for the second Lord's Test in a row yesterday after reviving his team's fortunes on the opening day of the first Test against England.

McCullum batted with increasing authority to reach 97 from as many balls, adding 99 with Jacob Oram (23 not out) for the sixth wicket, after New Zealand had been reduced to 104 for five.

When bad light stopped play early after the first session had been lost to rain, New Zealand had taken their score to a more competitive 208 for six.

McCullum was only one boundary from his third Test century and his first against England when he was bowled by Monty Panesar. Four years ago, batting at number three after the order had been reshuffled, he scored 96 in the Kiwis' second innings at the same venue.

An explosive one-day cricketer and acrobatic wicketkeeper, McCullum fully justified his promotion from seven to five following another feeble performance by the inexperienced top order.

He rode his luck after a series of airy waves outside the off-stump to reach his ninth Test half- century from 65 balls with eight boundaries while Oram played the anchor role at the other end.

Michael Vaughan, eager to expose the inexperienced New Zealand top order, opted to field after winning the toss, and his decision was vindicated in James Anderson's opening over when Aaron Redmond was dismissed without scoring, guiding a full-pitched delivery at comfortable height and pace to Alastair Cook at third slip.

His five-ball duck in his debut Test contrasted starkly with his father Rodney's 107 and 56 in his solitary test.

Jamie How (7) also fell to Anderson, edging a full delivery to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, and Ross Taylor slashed a frenetic 19 from 20 deliveries before skying a rash hook off Broad to Paul Collingwood at second slip.

James Marshall grafted his way to 24 from 104 minutes before he too proved fallible outside the off-stump, edging Broad to Andrew Strauss at first slip.

Daniel Flynn, New Zealand's other debutant, had made nine when he was bowled leg-stump by Anderson

who finished with three for 42. Sidebottom, England's top bowler over the past year, struggled with his line and finished with none for 50.