New Zealand face defeat after McCullum’s exit

After making the fastest century in Test history, from 54 balls, to lift New Zealand from 32 for 3 to 370 in their first innings, McCullum was again called on to play a match-saving role in the 176th and last Test innings of his international career. 

He came to the crease with New Zealand at 72 for 3 in their second innings after Australia had gone out earlier in the day for 505, taking a first innings lead of 135. But McCullum was dismissed with New Zealand still trailing by 30 runs, and by stumps, the hosts were 121 for 4, 14 runs behind Australia with six wickets remaining. 

McCullum needed a few balls to settle in and appraise the threat posed by Pattinson, who was able to get the ball to swing back late at right-handed batsmen. He hit three fours over or wide of the slip cordon and a six, pulled off the front foot, into the crowd beyond the square mid-wicket boundary. 

But McCullum was out on next ball, caught by David Warner at short mid-wicket from the bowling of Josh Hazlewood. New Zealand had previously lost Martin Guptill for 0, Tom Latham for 39 and Henry Nicholls for 2 as Australia’s bowlers dominated the hosts and edged closer to victory. Earlier, New Zealand paceman Neil Wagner returned career-best figures of 6 for 106 to try to prevent the visitors from running up a huge first-innings lead. He also claimed the vital wicket of Adam Voges for 60, ending his run of three straight centuries. 

New Zealand 370 and 121-4 in 44 overs (Williamson 45 not out, McCullum 25) Australia 505 in 153.1 overs (Burns 170, Smith 138, Voges 60; Wagner 6/106)