McCullum, Watling keep New Zealand alive

FE Team | Published: February 17, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

WELLINGTON, Feb 16 (AFP): A dogged 158-run stand by century-maker Brendon McCullum and B.J. Watling kept New Zealand alive in the second Test against India Sunday, although the odds still favour the tourists.
After New Zealand looked on the ropes at 94-5, McCullum and Watling ensured India will have to bat again as they wiped out the 246-run first innings deficit to reach 252-5 at stumps on the third day. McCullum, who brought up his ninth Test century with a powerful six off Ishant Sharma, was on 114 with Watling on 52.
However, despite their heroic partnership, New Zealand will likely need to bat through the fourth day, with only a brittle tail to come, if they are to deny India a series-levelling victory.
"Being five down was key for us. If we had been six or seven down I think the Test was over," McCullum said.
"To be honest, we would probably need a double century to keep us in this game. If BJ and I can emulate what we did today tomorrow, then tomorrow night it will be great to be able to make some decisions about where the game will go rather than trying to fight out of it." It has been an impressive innings by McCullum who became only the fifth New Zealander to pass 5,000 Test runs.
New Zealand 192 and 252 for 5 (McCullum 114*, Watling 52*, Zaheer 3-60) lead India 438 by 6 runs.