Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, promoted to No.3, ensured New Zealand remained on equal terms with England on the third day of the first Test on Saturday with a mature unbeaten 72.
Trailing by 55 on the first innings at Lord’s, New Zealand ended the day of 134-1 after losing captain Stephen Fleming for four with the total only seven.
If England had captured another couple of quick wickets at that stage the tourists would have been in real trouble.
McCullum, playing only his seventh Test innings and his first against England, batted with a confidence which belied his inexperience after stepping in for Nathan Astle, who was suffering from influenza.
Mark Richardson, who fell seven runs short of a century after batting more than six hours in the first innings, again displayed unlimited concentration to remain 46 not out at the close.
Brief scores
New Zealand: 386 and 134-1 (B McCullum batting 72, M Richardson batting 46).
England: 441 (M.Trescothick 86, A.Strauss 112, A.Flintoff 63, G.Jones 46, Martin 3-94, Vettori 2-69, Styris 2-11).
