Brendon McCullum rewrites the history books as he becomes the first Black Caps player to surpass 300 in one innings in series win over India

McCullum's brilliant 302 saw New Zealand secure a draw with their opponents to take the two-Test series 1-0 as he became the first New Zealander to surpass 300 runs in one innings

Agency
Tuesday 18 February 2014 10:35 GMT
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New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum became the first Black Caps player to surpass a triple-century with his 302 against India
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum became the first Black Caps player to surpass a triple-century with his 302 against India

Brendon McCullum scored New Zealand's first ever triple century as the second Test against India ended in a draw on Tuesday.

The draw saw the Black Caps win the two-Test series 1-0 after captain McCullum (302) reached his milestone early on day five at Basin Reserve in Wellington, having resumed on 281.

Jimmy Neesham (137 not out) posted a hundred on debut and the hosts declared at 680 for eight before lunch, setting India 435 for victory.

Tim Southee (two for 50) made a couple of breakthroughs but Virat Kohli (105no) batted well as India reached 166 for three before the teams shook hands, giving New Zealand the series win.

Neesham was the quicker scorer of the two New Zealand who started in the middle on day five, and brought up his century by flicking Ishant Sharma through square leg.

The 23-year-old would finish with the highest score by a debutant batting at number eight.

It was McCullum's turn to get to his landmark in the next over.

The 32-year-old chopped a Zaheer Khan delivery for four - his 32nd of the innings - to become the first New Zealander to make 300.

McCullum's triple century saw Martin Crowe's 299 against Sri Lanka in 1991 replaced as the highest Test score by a New Zealander.

On 293, McCullum had survived a nervous moment after he edged an Ishant ball, but it fell just short of wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

But, just two balls after bringing up his triple ton, McCullum was out.

He edged Zaheer through to Dhoni, prompting the Indian players to come across and shake his hand after a marathon 559-ball knock.

McCullum decided against declaring and Zaheer completed his five-wicket haul by removing Southee for 11.

The declaration did finally come during the first session, but only after New Zealand passed their highest Test total of 671.

New Zealand were unable to find a wicket before lunch but did so in the first over after the interval.

Shikhar Dhawan (two) was trapped in front leaving a Trent Boult delivery, reducing the tourists to 10 for one.

When Murali Vijay (seven) fell in the next over, caught at third slip by Corey Anderson off Southee, the hosts had hope of victory.

But Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara (17) steadied before the latter fell, only for Rohit Sharma (31no) to come in and deny the Kiwis.

India remained without a Test victory away from home since 2011, despite having led New Zealand by 246 runs after the first innings in Wellington, and then having the hosts at 94 for five early on day three.

PA

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