Cricket: McCullum century spares NZ's blushes

JOHANNESBURG - A bludgeoning Brendon McCullum century spared New Zealand's blushes today as a batting tailspin threatened to derail the team's only dress rehearsal before Saturday's opening cricket test against South Africa.

McCullum, now comfortably cast as an effective innings closer in the one-day arena, salvaged New Zealand from a potentially dire predicament against the Rest of South Africa as he masterminded a face-saving 95-run ninth wicket stand with a stoic Chris Martin here at Willowmoore Park.

Martin joined the wicketkeeper at 277 for eight -- a distant 118 in arrears -- and despite the tailender's lack of prowess with the bat the duo defied the South African attack until in sight of their host's first innings of 395.

McCullum eventually departed for 101 after top-edging a pull shot -- five balls after reaching a selfless and richly deserved ton.

New Zealand's topsy turvy innings ended 23 runs short on 372 for nine -- Shane Bond continues to rest a worrying knee injury -- the end total representing a better than expected return after six wickets were lost for 68 in the session to lunch.

At stumps the South African's had extended their lead to 155 with a day to play.

They were also coasting after the loss of openers Alviro Petersen (5) and Stephen Cook (38) but a two wicket burst late in the day had the home side potentially vulnerable at 132 for four.

Justin Ontong was unbeaten on 59 and captain Neil McKenzie -- a first innings centurion -- will start tomorrow on two.

The lead would already be insurmountable had McCullum not found Martin a surprisingly effective ally at the death.

McCullum was on only 18 when the fast bowler came to the crease and although his primary goal was finding the boundaries before sneaking a single to shield his partner, he gradually showed more confidence in the Cantabrian.

Martin was left unbeaten on nine, a third-ball single supplemented by two edgy fours through the slip cordon.

The usual No 11 negotiated 41 balls -- far more than a half dozen better credentialled teammates -- though it was McCullum who took the plaudits.

Given he almost single-handedly rescued the Blacks Caps, it was appropriate McCullum brought up his half century with a one-handed slash through point.

He passed 50 in 61 balls though the milestone would have arrived significantly quicker had he not rejected at least a dozen singles in a bid to safeguard his provincial teammate.

The South African attack had no answer to McCullum's belligerence and placement and watched helplessly as he motored to a fifth first class century off 93 deliveries.

McCullum smacked seven fours and seven sixes -- the last prompting a brief delay after it cleared the sightscreen, and the ground perimeter.

He was responsible for 45 of partnership's first 50 runs and continued to torment the opposition, particularly pace bowler Rory Kleinveldt who had 19 culled off one over.

Former test fast bowler Monde Zondeki (four for 107) caused the most damage, although he was not immune from the attacking McCullum.

In a concern for captain Stephen Fleming, New Zealand's last wicket stand was only the second productive partnership of the innings following on from his composed 183-run contribution with Peter Fulton for the third wicket.

The pair strode out at 159 for two with Fleming registering his century after resuming on 96 -- Fulton advanced from 36 to 73 before he became the first casualty of the day.

Fleming's demise to a uppish cut shot for 118 triggered a slump which saw Jacob Oram (0), Scott Styris (17) Daniel Vettori (8) and James Franklin (5) fail to make the most of benign conditions.

- NZPA