McCullum makes early statement

Brendon McCullum hit the ground running with a belligerent century to begin the BLACKCAPS tour of Australia today.

The tourists scored 290 for four on a truncated opening day of a four-day fixture against Australia A at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

Opener McCullum was at his pugnacious best as he compiled a punishing 146 after the New Zealanders lost the toss and were inserted following a delay of close to an hour due to morning drizzle.

McCullum appreciated a benign pitch and shortish boundaries as he struck the ball with his customary power, reaching his 11th first-class century off just 85 balls as the Australian A bowlers were given an unsubtle reminder of his forthright approach.

He put on a fluent 148 for the first wicket with Martin Guptill, whose innings ended on 43 when he hit a ball to gully.

Guptill was much more circumspect, but solid, taking 20 balls to get off the mark before getting into his stride.

McCullum raised his century in the over after Guptill’s dismissal and two balls later deposited a poor delivery over deep point for his fifth six.

Kane Williamson, coming off a Northern Knights record 284 not out in the Plunket Shield at home, missed out when he got stuck on the crease before trying to direct a ball from James Pattinson to the on side. He missed and was adjudged leg before wicket for three.

Thirty-year-old McCullum got on top of the bowlers early with the Australain attack persisting with a short length and stayed on top of things until fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus induced and edge behind to Matthew Wade.

He had harvested his runs off only 115 balls and hit 21 fours as well as six sixes in a forceful statement of intent.

After an early tea was taken due to more rain, Jesse Ryder was caught out for 22, pulling off his hip to deep backward square leg.

It was then left to skipper Ross Taylor, on 45 not out, and Dean Brownlie, unbeaten on 21, to take the tourists to an early close forced by bad light.

Earlier, much interested surrounded the composition of the New Zealand playing 11. In the end coach John Wright and Taylor chose to rest Daniel Vettori, which enabled them to name a four-pronged seam bowling attack containing Chris Martin, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult.

In Vettori’s absence the slow bowling cover for this game will come from Williamson and Guptill.

The match is the BLACKCAPS only outing ahead of the first test starting at the Gabba in Brisbane next Thursday. The second test follows in Hobart.

CA scorecard - http://livescores.cricket.com.au/summary_2674_1.html