Cricket: Buoyant NZ have no cause for complacency

NZ’s batting lineup is under pressure to perform consistently. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand cricket team's celebration of their first test triumph over a major rival since early last year has been tempered by the realisation a series victory is no formality.

New Zealand tomorrow begin their preparations to protect a 1-0 lead at the Basin Reserve with the second test starting on Thursday. They are well aware of the precedent set by their last win over one of the sport's top echelon - England at Hamilton in March 2008.

New Zealand proceeded to lose that series 1-2 after the English won comfortably in Wellington and Napier.

Pakistan face the same itinerary and, after falling 32 runs of completing a successful fightback in Dunedin on Saturday, one of cricket's most enigmatic sides has the bowling armoury to redress the balance.

New Zealand had their own pace bowlers to thank for a successful outcome on University Oval as Shane Bond, Iain O'Brien and Chris Martin combined to limit Pakistan's second innings to 218.

The home side's batting was again inadequate - a 97-run bonus after the first innings was almost negated when New Zealand managed only 153 in the second, occupying the crease for only 67 overs.

Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum acknowledged the batting unit was again under pressure to perform consistently.

Happy the side posted 429 after being asked to bat first, McCullum admitted the compiling of that score relied heavily on Daniel Vettori's 99.

Vettori's customary rescue mission dovetailed with McCullum's 78 as the pair added 164 for the seventh wicket after New Zealand had slumped to 211 for six.

"We got through four sessions in the first innings, it was a really big plus though it wasn't the way we wanted to do it.

"It would have been great for the top six to get us through to that," McCullum said.

Only Ross Taylor combined productive innings, following his 94 by top scoring with 59 amid a batting card blighted by four ducks.

Problems remain at the top of the order where 17-year-old quick Mohammad Aamer struck with the first ball of the match - Tim McIntosh - before having New Zealand two down without a run on the board in their second innings after claiming Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn for four-ball ducks.

Fortunately Pakistan's top order is equally unreliable: the tourists had to rely on centurion-on-debut Umar Akmal and his older brother Kamran to glue their first innings together.

Umar Akmal's 75 was also the focal point of an unsuccessful chase.

New Zealand return to the nets today, aware there is little between the sixth and seventh-ranked test nations.

"Both (bowling) attacks balance themselves out so there's not a great deal between the two sides.

"The other two tests will be equally as twitchy as this one was," McCullum said.

New Zealand at least have the security of a series lead, thanks to a superior first innings, the deeds of an over-worked pace trio and, importantly, surer hands behind the wicket.

McCullum and McIntosh both made difficult chances look routine at the start of Pakistan's run chase. In contrast the visitors were stone cold in the slips cordon, shelling five catches, including four by Imran Farhat.

"We weren't great for the whole five days but we did give ourselves a chance and we bowled and fielded brilliantly," McCullum said.

Bond and O'Brien are likely to be on light duties ahead of the test, particularly the latter after he dislocated a finger - an injury that will be assessed today.

Bond had to remove a nail after his 48.5 overs of exertion wore down the big toe on his left foot but he seems certain of backing up.

The 34-year-old's impact was immense during his first test appearance in two years, an eight-wicket haul securing the man-of-the-match award.

"He's a world class bowler and he's got some good support around him," McCullum said.

"Chris Martin can't be overlooked. He's done a brilliant job for us over the last seven or eight years."

- NZPA