Cricket: Black Caps turn to attack pink ball

Brendon McCullum of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

The bowlers have had their turn; today it's the New Zealand batsmen who have a crack at dealing with the pink ball.

Having seen a young West Australian XI compile 345 for 13 - they simply batted 90 overs yesterday, New Zealand do the same today - the batsmen have discovered it's a comfortable batting pitch.

They watched promising young batsmen Sam Whiteman and Will Bosisto hit 117 and 78 respectively and get a chance to cash in today ahead of the third test, to start next Friday at Adelaide Oval in the same day-night, pink ball conditions.

The bowlers were up and down, although bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas was happy with what was produced.

''Very good," was his overall assessment.

''The boys applied themselves and got the ball in the right area a lot more than they have done. All the bowlers had one or two good spells and we're very happy with the spinners."

That said, both Mitchell Santner, who finished with four wickets, and Mark Craig, who got one, were too loose at times. Whiteman is a class batsman and took toll.

The arrival of the second new ball late in the day picked things up for New Zealand with the ball swinging noticably more, and although Trent Boult was not sighted at the bowling crease all day, left armer Neil Wagner was in his element.

He finished with five for 62 off 19 overs, as he puts his hand up for third test consideration.

He found some movement and toiled strongly all day.

''He didn't try any more or less than he usually does. That's how we expect him to bowl, 110 percent ever time he walks on the field," Mascarenhas said.

There were no complaints from players about visibility of the pink ball in the field, the former England allrounder said, adding it was a satisfying day in terms of how things panned out.

''Pretty much the whole day went to plan. We knew exactly how it (the ball) was going to react and pretty much it reacted as we thought, so pretty happy," he said.

Nine bowlers were used, and it's been a while since Tim Southee appeared as fourth change.

Southee and Wagner caught Whiteman's eye.

''Southee bowled a pretty good spell to me early on, got me in the gloves a few times. And Wagner bowled well today. They were definitely the pick of the bowlers."

''I'd class Wagner as pretty skiddy. He's on to you a bit quicker than you think, sort of hustle and bustle and gets in your face a little bit as well. He's a good bowler."

Whiteman also made an interesting observation about batting in the twilight period, immediately after the dinner break -- that is about 7-7.30pm local time.

''I think it could've been tougher. They bowled two spinners for a lot of the time so it made that a little easier.

''If they'd bowled seamers I think it would've been tough, with the shadow across the wicket and the lights just kicked in."

Boult will be assessed over the next two days, Mascarenhas said. His back has been troubling him since the tour of England in mid-year and he's been a yard off his game in the first two tests.

''He's going okay as far as I know and on track to be fit for the third test.''