McCullum takes solace from unbeaten ton

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was in a combative mood on day two of the third Test against Pakistan in Sharjah, scoring a fast 153 not out in the face of world cricket's grief over Phillip Hughes' passing.
The Kiwis were on 249 for one at the close of play due to bad light, with Kane Williamson alongside his skipper on 76, and trailing Pakistan by just 102 runs. They had gone at 5.50 runs to the over across the day.
Day two was a day late, as the original schedule was suspended on Thursday following Hughes' death in Sydney, and players from both teams paid tribute by wearing black armbands. The Black Caps also wrote PH on their shirts, under the fern, with marker pens.
Pakistan were all out for 351 in the morning session, losing seven wickets quickly as silence pervaded the ground. Mohammad Hafeez, on his way to a maiden double ton two days ago, could not reach the milestone as he fell for 197, he new best Test score.
Mark Craig took a career-best haul of seven wickets, but it went under the radar as the day was notable for a lack of celebration for wickets or batting milestones from either side. Pakistan were lacklustre as they lost seven wickets for 70 runs.
New Zealand started their chase with the loss of Tom Latham early in the afternoon session for 13, but the rest of the day was dominated by McCullum, He struck his ton off 78 balls, the fastest Test ton by a New Zealander.
By the close of play he was still on track for the fastest Test double ton, help by Nathan Astle, having hit eight sixes and 17 fours in his knock Williamson's 76 came off a more sedate 96 balls.
Latest
-
News
Chris Woakes says omission from England Test tour of India ‘a fair decision’
Woakes is satisfied to focus on white-ball cricket for the next few months.
-
News
Jofra Archer bowling haul in Barbados school game surprises England chiefs
Archer continues his rehabilitation from the latest setback in his right elbow.
-
News
Jahid Ahmed says Essex sharing full racism report would provide ‘some closure’
A summary report of Katharine Newton KC’s findings was published on Friday afternoon.
-
News
Rookie spinner Shoaib Bashir handed shock call-up for England tour of India
The 20-year-old off-spinner only made his LV= Insurance County Championship bow in June.
-
News
Spinner Shoaib Bashir handed shock England call-up for India tour
The 20-year-old off-spinner has made just six senior red-ball appearances.
-
England
Ben Duckett helps England rally to 206 in ODI series decider against West Indies
The tourists had slumped to 49 five in the 10th over.
-
England
England lose ODI series as West Indies chase reduced target
Jos Buttler out first ball as top-order collapse leaves England with mountain to climb in Barbados.
-
England
West Indies loss ‘start of a new journey’ for England insists Jos Buttler
Captain believes Caribbean defeat will provide vital experience for team in post-World Cup reset.
-
Women's Cricket
England beaten in final match of T20 series as India claim consolation victory
Skipper Heather Knight top-scored with 52.
-
England
Matthew Mott: Change of format can rejuvenate Jos Buttler
Buttler’s World Cup hangover followed him to the Caribbean with two single-figure scores.