Cricket: Great pitch view of master blaster

Brendon McCullum took apart the Sri Lankan attack in Christchurch, with a whirlwind 195. Picture / Getty Images

When Brendon McCullum is in full flight, being at the other end of the pitch is a great vantage point.

The Black Caps skipper has been nearly unstoppable during the past year and Kane Williamson got a first-hand look at McCullum's whirlwind 195 during the first innings of the Boxing Day test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.

During the second session on day one, Williamson could only stand and watch in awe as McCullum took apart the Sri Lankan bowling attack at breakneck speed. Williamson and McCullum put on 126 for the fourth wicket, which helped New Zealand set up their eight-wicket win.

"I think after lunch, I certainly struggled in Christchurch and he was whacking it to all parts and it kind of felt like I was the library in a theme park," Williamson said when asked what it was like to bat with McCullum.

"He was doing everything and I was kind of watching, and it was a great place to watch him bat and I was trying my best at the other end but it's certainly fantastic the way he's going."

New Zealand seem likely to take an unchanged side in to the second test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington that gets under way tomorrow.

A green wicket block greeted the sides yesterday but with a healthy dose of sun, the pitch should brown off slightly.

"We've played some good cricket here in the last few games so it is nice to come back here," Williamson said.

The first morning will be crucial for whoever bats first as the Basin Reserve deck often provides something for the pace bowlers if they can hit the right areas.

Given New Zealand boast a 1-0 lead in the two-test series, they will come in to tomorrow's test as favourites but Sri Lanka won't lie down before their tour heads to white-ball cricket.

Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, who made 24 and 25 in the first test, said his side needed to produce a better display with the willow at the Basin Reserve.

"We just want to concentrate on our batting, mainly," he said.

Poor shot selection let the Sri Lankans down in their first innings in Christchurch as they were bowled out for 138 and given New Zealand's massive first innings total of 441, they were left to play from behind.

They showed better discipline in their second dig as they made 407 and forced the Black Caps to bat again and Thirimanne said the side had taken confidence from that effort.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath missed the first test but Thirimanne said the 36-year-old, who has 260 test wickets to his name, was likely to return in Wellington.

The Basin Reserve isn't always kind to spinners but Thirimanne tipped Herath to thrive even if the pitch was more suited to the seamers.

"He's performed well in these conditions," Thirimanne said.

"He took wickets in England and Australia so we are confident that he'll take wickets in these conditions."