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Wellington: The Kiwis are making the tourists work hard for victory at Wellington's Basin Reserve, with Brendon McCullum (94 not out) and Daniel Vettori (77) batting brilliantly to have the home side 6-369 when stumps on day four.
Initially facing an innings defeat, the Black Caps now lead by 67 runs. Today stumps due to bad light and shocking weather from the tea break.
It was not yet raining but the skies were dark and the wind high.
The Kiwi fightback was marred just after lunch on day four when the UDRS technology failed dismally after being called upon by Australian captain Ricky Ponting for an lbw ruling on McCullum.
In an embarrassing scenario for ICC officialdom, video umpire Aleem Dar was unable to access footage of Hawk-Eye - used to rule on lbw decisions - because wild winds had interfered with the technology's ability to track the path of the ball.
Video umpire Dar watched several replays of Nathan Hauritz's delivery to McCullum, but could not make a definitive call as the Hawk-Eye technology was not available.
The tourists began day four at the Basin Reserve eyeing a quick kill after pace ace Doug Bollinger ripped through the Kiwis yesterday to leave the Black Caps reeling at 187-5 in its second innings, still needing 115 runs to make Australia bat again.
But a stubborn sixth-wicket partnership of 126 between Vettori and McCullum has forced Ponting's side to work hard for a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
After three days of sun, the Wellington weather turned nasty this morning with heavy rain delaying play by 30 minutes.
At one stage, wild gusts of 122kmh sent the Basin Reserve covers flying as a squadron of groundsmen desperately clung on, with the covers eventually slamming into the boundary fence 40 metres from the pitch.
When play resumed, Vettori and McCullum took the wind out of the Australian attack, playing sensibly to guarantee the visitors will have to bat again to secure victory.
Eyeing a sixth Test ton, Vettori eventually fell for 77 when he was bowled around his legs by Hauritz attempting to sweep.
Brief scores
Australia: 459 for 5 dec
New Zealand: 157 & 369 for 6 (McCullum 94*, McIntosh 83, Vettori 77)
Status: New Zealand lead by 67 runs
