McCullum Double-ton Ensures Draw Against India

Hyderabad: Opener Brendon McCullum smashed a career-best 225 as the second Test between India and New Zealand headed towards a draw on Tuesday.

McCullum, playing his 54th Test, unleashed 22 fours and four sixes during his marathon nine-hour innings as the tourists reached 448/8 at tea on the fifth and final day of the match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.

New Zealand, who made 350 in their first innings before bowling out India for 472, established a lead of 326 runs to snuff out any chance of a result in the match.

McCullum reached the 200-run mark in style, scooping part-timer Suresh Raina for a four and celebrating by raising his bat towards the Kiwi dressing room.

His knock was the second-highest by a New Zealander in India, after Bert Sutcliffe's 230 scored way back in 1955 in Delhi.

McCullum, opening in Tests for only the second time, added 124 runs with rookie Kane Williamson for the fifth wicket and another 51 with captain Daniel Vettori (23) to frustrate top-ranked India.

Williamson made 69 with nine fours, three of which he struck in one over by paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth (3-121) before being trapped leg before wicket by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

The 20-year-old middle-order batsman had scored a century on his debut in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad last week.

Rahul Dravid bagged his 199th catch in Tests when Vettori drove Raina uppishly to short cover.

McCullum, 124 overnight, completely dominated India's bowling attack with his attacking strokeplay before being caught at mid-on as he tried to play a lofted shot off Sreesanth.

India's spinners struggled on a wicket that showed no signs of deteriorating with Pragyan Ojha (2-137) and Harbhajan (1-117) picking up just three wickets between them.

The hosts also missed pace spearhead Zaheer Khan who could send down only three overs due to an abdominal strain.

The third and final Test will be played in Nagpur from November 20-24 followed by five one-day internationals from November 28.

Brief scores
New Zealand 350 (McIntosh 102, Guptill 85, Khan 4-69, Harbhajan 4-76) and 448 for 8 dec (McCullum 225, Williamson 69, Sreesanth 3-121)
India 472 (Harbhajan 111*, Sehwag 96, Laxman 74, Vettori 5-135, Southee 3-119) and 68 for 0 (Sehwag 54*)
Result Drawn
MOM Brendon McCullum (New Zealnad)

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