1st Test: Captain’s knock by Brendon McCullum

Zee Media Bureau/Chaitan Papnai

Auckland: On the second day of the first Test at Eden Park, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum who was unbeaten on 143 at stumps on the first day, went on to score a double ton against India and ensured that his side crossed the 500-run mark in the first innings. After a poor ODI series with the bat against India, the Kiwi skipper is back with a bang. He played a 224-run knock in the first innings and used mere 307 balls. In his mammoth knock, he scored twenty seven boundaries and five sixes. He scored boundaries and sixes at will and literally toyed with the Indian bowlers by smashing them all over the park. While on day one, he added a 231-run partnership with Kane Williamson for the fourth wicket, today McCullum stitched 133 runs with Corey Anderson for the fifth wicket, before Anderson got trapped in front of the wicket off Ishant. McCullum was the last wicket to fall for the home side, when he got out off Ishant, while trying to clear the long-on boundary, where Jadeja took a wonderful catch to end New Zealand`s innings. Indian bowlers looked totally off-colour while bowling to McCullum. His double ton certainly gave his team an upper hand over the visitors who are reeling at 130 for four after the end of second day`s play. Now Indian skipper should take a cue form his counterpart when he comes to bat on the third day of the match by leading his team by example.