Cricket: Dodgy decision derails New Zealand defiance

Kane Williamson survives an appeal last night as New Zealand tried to save the first test. Photo / AP

New Zealand were showing real fortitude following on against India but were still headed towards defeat last night.

Midway through the middle session in Hyderabad, the visitors were 122-3, with Kane Williamson not out 44 and Daniel Flynn on 3.

New Zealand need to score 279 in the second innings to avoid an innings defeat in the first test of Mike Hesson's coaching tenure.

They might have been in an even stronger position had Australian umpire Steve Davis not missed a clear Brendon McCullum inside edge on to his pads from a Umesh Yadav delivery after a gritty 130-ball 42. It followed on from another poor decision the previous day that saw Martin Guptill adjudged lbw for 16.

A furious McCullum no doubt caught the attention of match referee Chris Broad as he left the field shaking his head, cursing under his breath and tossing the bat from one hand to the other, but it was difficult not to feel sorry for him. India refuse to use the Umpire Decision Review System.

Shortly after Ross Taylor shouldered arms and was bowled by Ravi Ashwin for 7.

Play was delayed by two hours this morning after rain in Hyderabad and, given the way they played in the first innings, New Zealand's batsmen would have been grateful for the disruption.

But McCullum and Williamson showed admirable application against India's twin spin attack when play did resume, giving the crowd at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium little to shout about.