Cricket: Vettori, McCullum defy Australia

Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum were mounting a fightback in the first cricket test against Australia as gale force winds buffeted the Basin Reserve in Wellington today.

The senior New Zealand pair put on 79 runs without losing a wicket in the shortened 90-minute first session on day four as the hosts looked to avoid an innings defeat.

At lunch New Zealand were 266 for five, following on in their second innings, still 36 short of making Australia bat again.

Vettori was unbeaten on 60 with McCullum on 39, with the pair adding an unbroken 83 for the sixth wicket.

The only anxious moment for New Zealand was just before lunch when captain Ricky Ponting missed a half-chance at second slip off McCullum, on 38, from Mitchell Johnson's bowling.

It appeared a hopeless cause for New Zealand as they resumed on 187 for five in their second innings, still 115 short of avoiding an innings defeat.

Play was delayed by 30 minutes this morning after rain and high winds hit the Basin.

There were nearly injuries on the field as ground staff prepared the playing surface, with the gales whipping the covers into the air as they were removed and sending several crashing to the turf.

Vettori, resuming on 18, began positively as the Australian bowlers struggled in the wind.

Australia took the new ball at 211 for five after 80 overs and Vettori cut Johnson's first delivery for four.

The captain took his match aggregate over 100 after he reached his half-century off 64 balls, including six fours.

The usually attacking McCullum was more circumspect, and contributed just 16 to the pair's initial 50 partnership, before playing some shots late in the session.

Paceman Doug Bollinger couldn't replicate his form from yesterday which brought him a test-best five for 28 in the first innings, ending the session with two for 59 off 20 overs while spinner Nathan Hauritz was extensively used, taking two for 80 off 34.