Cricket: McCullum wins crucial toss

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum in action during the first session of the second test. Photo / AFP

Operation Desert Strip began positively for the New Zealand cricketers tonight in the second test against Pakistan with captain Brendon McCullum and Tom Latham bringing contrasting elements to an opening partnership of 77.

McCullum lost his wicket late in the session for 43, when he gambled and lost with a lofted pull shot into the gullet of Shan Masood off right-arm pace bowler Ehsan Adil.

It was a waste after such a promising start, but incoming batsmen could be reassured runs were plentiful.

That brought Kane Williamson to the wicket. 'Kane' and 'Tom', as the scoreboard referred to them, survived the rest of the session to be four and 35 not out respectively.

McCullum's successful call of 'heads' and his decision to bat might be the most crucial call he makes this test which, while a shame, is the reality on bald pitches where spinners, in today's case Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah, came on for the ninth and 12th overs respectively.

McCullum was bravado for the most part and jittery on occasion. Several shots brought 'splat' and 'kapow' comic strip appeal, including dispatches for six over deep mid-wicket and long-on. The former brought indignity for Pakistan; they couldn't find the ball and there was no one in the 'crowd' to throw it back. McCullum looked like he was exacting utu after enduring Pakistan's 566 for three at Abu Dhabi.

Nothing imparted confidence like McCullum's decision to opt for a cap before the first drinks. You can do that when you're playing your 89th consecutive test; Latham, in his sixth, preferred the cocoon of the helmet throughout.

Latham further exuded gravitas. He knew where his off stump was, only played when he needed to, and looked at his best off the back foot punching through the offside.

Both openers were subjected to the Pakistani close-in fielders regularly stretching their vocal chords with blood-curdling Howzats. Nothing looked too convincing.

McCullum also endured the ball of the session from leg spinner Yasir Shah which was flighted, then drifted and spun across him to rap him on the back thigh. It would have missed the stumps, but it was alarming.

Latham survived a review for lbw on 11 when the score was 25 but the ball was too high. Still, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq had to do something, having lost his first toss of the home summer.

McCullum used the depth of the crease well against the spinners, got well forward on occasion and generally made emphatic decisions. Perhaps it was a nod to Latham who presented a blueprint of how to bat in similar conditions with his maiden century in the first test.

New Zealand named an unchanged side while Pakistan opted for three changes. Openers Taufeeq Umar and Shan Masood replaced Mohammad Hafeez, who was nursing a hamstring strain, and Ahmed Shehzad, who fractured his skull. Adil came in for Imran Khan.

- Andrew Alderson travelled to the UAE courtesy of Emirates