McCullum, Watling continue to thwart India (Lunch Report)

Wellington, Feb 17 (IANS) Captain Brendon McCullum (169 batting) and B.J. Watling (90) continued to thwart India by taking New Zealand to 347 for five at lunch on day four, opening a 101-run lead in the second and final Test at the Basin Reserve here Monday.

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.

India are still in the driver’s seat but need to break this partnership quickly before the hosts reach a safe position from which they can start a counter-attack.

For New Zealand the idea would be to do more of the the same and extend their lead further.