Double hundred for McCullum, Watling scores 3rd hundred (Tea Report)

Wellington, Feb 17 (IANS) Skipper Brendon McCullum (228 batting) recorded his third double century while B.J. Watling (119) scored his third hundred, as New Zealand reached 440 for five, extending their lead to 194 runs at tea on day four of the second and final Test here Monday.

The NZ pair piled on the misery for Indian bowlers who have failed to take a wicket in more than 120 overs.

McCullum and Watling started where they left off from the morning session and continued to frustrate the visitors.

The duo extended their sixth wicket partnership to 346 runs, second highest partnership for the sixth wicket, and in the process reached their highest Test scores.

The Indian bowlers looked short of ideas and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni brought on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to change things around. But that too didn’t work as McCullum and Watling continued their merry-making at the crease.

New Zealand should now look to take the game to India and score runs quickly. With over a day remaining and New Zealand bowlers well rested, the match could go in any direction.

India would hope that the new ball could change their fortunes.

Earlier, McCullum and Watling continued to thwart India by taking New Zealand to 347 for five at lunch.

A rare Test win overseas beckoned India when stumps were called Sunday. However, the NZ duo put together an unbeaten 253-run partnership for the sixth wicket to complete the hosts’ comeback.

McCullum and Watling were hardly troubled by a tiring Indian attack, who have been bowling at the same pair for one whole day now.

McCullum, who was dropped twice on day three, offered half a chance to Shikhar Dhawan at second slip, but other than that, has been an exceptional.

Watling too has given his skipper able company, barely giving Indian bowlers a sniff.