New Zealand stands firm in windy Wellington

New Zealand 157 & 369 for 6 (McCullum 94*, McIntosh 83, Vettori 77) lead Australia 459 for 5 dec by 67 runs

Brendon McCullum changed his tactics to produce a superb team innings that allowed New Zealand to take their battle with Australia into a fifth day. Standing up to a fierce wind gusting up to 120kph, McCullum smothered his attack-first mentality and overcame a distracted Australian side to finish unbeaten on 94.

Crucially, McCullum built on the work of Daniel Vettori, who produced a committed 77, and took the hosts further ahead during their follow-on. By stumps on a day curtailed by rain, light and regular interruptions caused by the gale, their advantage stood at 67. It is not much, but some more wet weather is predicted on the final morning, giving them a chance of saving the game.

The Australians started the day with a lead of 115 and needed five wickets but they managed only one. Mostly they wished they were inside, safe from the powerful gusts and resting after three consecutive days in the field. McCullum and Vettori kept them outside during a partnership of 126 - it was a sixth-wicket record for New Zealand against Australia - and both raised their highest scores in Trans-Tasman Tests.

Australia Tour of New Zealand 2010

Bollinger makes his mark on struggling New Zealand

New Zealand 157 (Vettori 46, Bollinger 5-28) & 187 for 5 (McIntosh 83) trail Australia 459 for 5 dec by 115 runs

New Zealand didn't understand the fuss over Doug Bollinger during the one-day series, but they do now after he put Australia on track for a convincing victory in Wellington. After struggling through the limited-overs engagements and being attacked by the home batsmen, Bollinger has caused a lot of damage on a fine surface during the opening Test.

A career-best 5 for 28 helped floor New Zealand for 157 in their first innings, which ended 65 minutes into the third day and left them 302 behind, and Bollinger returned to cause more difficulties during the hosts' improved second effort. Despite Tim McIntosh's obdurate resistance with 83 in 276 minutes, the home side finished at 187 for 5, still needing 115 to make the tourists bat again.

Bollinger has played only seven Tests, but he was the attack's main man as he recorded the second five-wicket haul of his career and followed up with 2 for 30 off 13 overs. There were five breakthroughs in the day as he finished off the first innings and gave his side some inspiration when the visitors were becalmed in the second session.

Backing up after a demolition is not always easy for the bowlers, who expect to repeat their exploits despite their fatigue. The fast men didn't regain the same opportunities until Bollinger stepped up, dismissing BJ Watling and Peter Ingram (1) in the half hour before tea.

Watling, who made an unsuccessful challenge, was lbw to Bollinger for the second time in the game and walked off with 33 in 131 minutes, while Ingram flirted at Bollinger to give Brad Haddin an easy catch. Throughout the day he provided extra speed, bounce and a touch of swing to gain his rewards.

In the morning Bollinger, the third bowler used, struck twice in three balls, adding the victims to his two of the previous afternoon. Brendon McCullum left after trying a wild pull - he was well caught by Harris at fine-leg - and Bollinger then delivered a beautiful shorter ball angling away to brush Martin Guptill's edge.