2nd Test: New Zealand v Australia at Christchurch,

What an incredible day of cricket. Riveting stuff right from the first ball of the day. According to the commentators, New Zealand's run-rate (5.63) was the highest ever by a team being put into bat in the first innings. The incredible thing was that New Zealand had scored just 32 runs from the first 20 overs.

Smith's two slip catches were obscene. Blimey, they were special. Marsh's catch off the no-ball might have been even more impressive.

It's not often a team wins the toss, bowls the side out an hour after tea on the first day's play and can consider the day to be a bit of a disappointment.

59 - 1 after  21

Burns 29*

Uzzie c Baz b Boult  24

67 - 2

FOUR! First boundary for Steven Smith. AUS 77/2

Brendon McCullum's final Test will still be a disappointment unless he sets a field with a fly slip, leg gully and silly extra cover.

Burns review his caught

77 - 3

off his bicep ....Not Out

77 - 2

Drinks - 1st session - Day 2

AUS 93/2

[quote author=ketchim link=topic=102832.msg679966#msg679966 date=1455984694]
100 off 54 balls and ownership of a Record 
[/quote]

I'm all for players retiring while they're still playing well, but I have to wonder whether McCullum is retiring too soon.

Australia are slowly grinding New Zealand. 370 was a decent score but it is quite clear that this was an easy batting wickets and they needed much more than that, despite Brendon McCullum's heroics. Australia would expect a strong lead of around 200, and the quick run rate they have been maintaining they will have more than enough time to get New Zealand out again.