Cricket: NZ progress slows after fast start

Brendon McCullum of New Zealand reaches his century. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Dean Brownlie and captain Ross Taylor have pushed their side's first innings total to 281/4 in a warm-up match against Australia A in Brisbane.

The pair have been in partnership for 26 runs for the Black Caps' fifth wicket after Jesse Ryder's was caught by Pattinson at square leg off Ben Cutting's delivery for 22 runs.

The run rate has dramatically declined from the heights of 6.86 runs per over during Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson's period at the crease to the current rate of 2.24 runs per over.

Taylor is approaching the half-century mark with 45 runs currently to his name off 111 deliveries and Brownlie on 21 not out respectively.

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Earlier the New Zealanders were in the driver's seat after working to 216/3 off the back of the impressive Brendon McCullum who scored 146 runs.

McCullum and fellow opener Brendon Gupill raced to 106 runs without loss by lunch and were cruising after the interval before their partnership was undone in the 29th over.

Guptill chipped in with a handy 43 runs in a patient spell at the crease from 89 balls, a 148 runs first wicket stand, but it was McCullum who did the damage for the visitors.

The aggressive batsman was at his blistering best with 21 fours and six sixes off just 115 balls in a smashing opening innings on the first day of the four dayer.

However his natural tendancy to play big shots was his eventual downfall as he was caught behind after attempting a wild swing outside offstump in the 38th over.

Kane Williamson replaced Guptill in the middle as first-change, yet his first innings of the tour lasted just 8 balls before being caught lbw by James Pattinson.

Jesse Ryder (1 run) joined his captain Ross Taylor (13 runs) at the crease for two overs before the covers came out due to weather issues.

- Herald online