McCullum satisfied with WACA stalemate

Australia

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said he was satisfied after the Black Caps and Australia played out a draw in the second Test at the WACA on Tuesday.

The result means the tourists can still level the three-match series with the final game starting at the Adelaide Oval on 27 November, which will be the first ever day/night Test.

The Kiwis had to mount and enormous fightback in Perth after Australia posted 416 for two at stumps on the opening day of the Test, eventually declaring their first innings on 559 for nine.

The Black Caps though showed their resolve as they batted for more than two days as they compiled a mammoth 624 all out thanks to a record individual score of 290 from Ross Taylor and 166 from Kane Williamson.

The Aussies then forged ahead in the second innings as they scored 385 for seven, giving New Zealand 48 overs to survive, which they did comfortably in the end thanks to Williamson and Taylor, again.

McCullum said after the game: "It is satisfying when you fight your way back from being as far back in the game as we were.

"To come out of it after five days with not just a draw, but a pretty encouraging sign of the steel and resolve and backbone in this side.

"It would have been easy for us to fall over. While the margin in the first game was reflective of that match, I didn't think it was reflective of the gulf between the two teams."

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