He might have been going for NZ's highest ever test score, but the nerves didn't hit Brendon McCullum until the crowd started to swell at the Basin Reserve this morning.

History beckoned for Brendon McCullum when he woke up this morning, and he wasn't about to let it slip, writes David Leggat.

Cricketing great Martin Crowe believes Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum can surpass his 299-run record today - and that India will want him to get there too.

New Zealand will start today confident of avoiding defeat and perhaps even contemplating a win in the second cricket test against India which seemed unthinkable 24 hours earlier.

Brendon McCullum and B-J Watling have delivered New Zealand cricket fans arguably the greatest fightback in the country’s test history.

Brendon McCullum and B-J Watling have given NZ fans cause for hope with an unbeaten partnership of 158 at stumps on the third day of the second test against India.

The fact Kane Williamson's captaincy prospects are talked about openly in New Zealand cricket circles as a "when" not an "if" probably sums up how his talents are respected.

It's hard for people without talent to watch those who have it in spades squandering their opportunities.

The question was put to the wise Indian scribe: "When did you last see Ishant Sharma bowl better than at the Basin Reserve yesterday?".

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is nearing a record with his eighth consecutive coin toss loss at the start of the first test against India yesterday.

India are in complete control of the second cricket test against New Zealand after day one at the Basin Reserve.

Penalty may be light but Ryder, Bracewell face a long wait to resurrect test careers.

New Zealand's cricketers were ''astonished" at the pre-first test late night behaviour of teammates Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell.

'We need to make sure all our players prepare themselves accordingly for test cricket.' Coach Mike Hesson explains why Jesse Ryder is dumped ahead of Friday's test match.

New Zealand have triumphed by 40 runs over India in a riveting final session on the fourth day of the first test with both teams putting up cases for victory.

Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell appear to have done their future selection chances permanent harm after drinking early on the morning of Waitangi Day, the first day of the opening test against India.

You can't escape the feeling there are more twists to come over the final two days of a remarkable opening test against India.

Cricket, as steeped in off-field intrigue as on-field subtleties, somehow survives as our summer sport.

New Zealand cricketers Doug Bracewell and Jesse Ryder are under investigation after a late-night drinking session the night before the first test against India.