Cricket: McCullum celebrates call-up in style

Blossoming New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum believes his side can pour the pressure back on to South Africa when the first test resumes today.

Fresh from beginning his test career with an outstanding diving catch on the opening day, McCullum yesterday continued to celebrate his call-up in style, becoming his team's second batsman after Michael Papps to score a half-century on debut.

Having resumed on 102 for two, New Zealand ground their way through to 361 for seven at stumps, after a defiant 74 from Scott Styris, some bold stroke-play from McCullum and an unbeaten 49 from Jacob Oram.

The fighting rearguard allowed New Zealand to close to within 98 of South Africa's total, raising the issue of second innings survival on a wicket that is starting to explode whenever the ball pitches.

McCullum, who added 84 for the seventh wicket with Oram, said the way the pitch was playing it would be far from unlikely for his side to snare another 10 wickets.

"Braces [coach John Bracewell] said that if we're batting at the end of the day then we still had a decent chance of winning, and that's how we're all looking at it, I'm sure," he said.

"We're a chance, and with the pitch offering help to the spinners, we're confident we can take 10 wickets and win.

"Jeez, it would be great to take a 1-0 lead in the series."

Entering the fray at a time when New Zealand could ill-afford another setback, McCullum wasted little time trying to come to terms with the surface, and instead launched a calculated assault on the opposition bowlers.

His 50 arrived off 74 balls and included 10 fours, and allowed New Zealand's highly regarded lower order to inch towards first inning parity.

Oram was a shade more circumspect, but his contribution was no less valuable.