McCullum, Watling Records Helps New Zealand on Top

Wellington: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (281*) and James Neesham (67*) put up a 125-run stand off 172 balls to take New Zealand second innings lead the 325-run on the fourth day of the second Test against India at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Monday.

New Zealand were 571 for 6 at stump on day 4.

McCullum reached his maiden score of 250 with a six off Mohammed Shami over square leg shortly before New Zealand crossed the 500-run mark.

McCullum stuck 24 boundaries and four sixes in unbeaten 281 in 525-balls.

Shami struck with the third new ball when he trapped Bradley Watling plumb in front of the wicket.

Watling's 124-run knock was studded with 13 boundaries.

Brendon McCullum and Watling reached the all-time highest sixth-wicket partnership record of 352 runs in the second over after tea.

McCullum and Watling broke the 351-run stand between Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardene that was made against India in Ahmedabad in November 2009.

Nothing went in India's favour in the second session of the day. Indian captain MS Dhoni tried bowling with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but that didn't succeed either.

McCullum reached his double ton shortly after Watling scored a well deserved century to thwart India's push for a series-levelling win.

McCullum and Watling took the total past 400 and have combined for more than 300 runs since shortly after lunch on the third day when their side was in desperate trouble at 94/5.

They have already passed New Zealand's highest sixth-wicket partnership against India and are within sight of the record partnership for any wicket against them. Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder scored 271 for the fourth wicket at Napier in 2009.

The naturally aggressive McCullum curbed his attacking instincts and battled problems with his shoulder and troublesome back in taking his side to a six-run lead at stumps on Sunday.

New Zealand resumed at 252/5 with McCullum on 114 and Watling on 52 and faced very little penetration from the Indian attack on a wicket that has flattened out.

The New Zealand pair scored 56 runs in 13 overs in the first hour of play, before McCullum passed 150 when he hammered his 18th boundary off pacer Zaheer Khan to the cover fence and raised his arms to generous applause from the small crowd.

Brief scores
New Zealand 192 (Ishant 6-51, Shami 4-70) and 571 for 6 (McCullum 281*, Watling 124, Neesham 67*)
India 438 (Rahane 118, Dhawan 98, Dhoni 68)
Status New Zealand lead by 6 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 2nd ODI South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn 2nd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 27 runs

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