Cricket: NZ 248-6 at stumps v South Africa

6.30pm

An entertaining 85-run partnership between Chris Cairns and Brendon McCullum lifted New Zealand to 248 for six at stumps on day one of the third cricket test against South Africa in Wellington today.

McCullum was trapped leg before wicket for 55 by Shaun Pollock off the penultimate ball of the day to end a New Zealand fightback.

The pair lifted New Zealand from 163 for five after being sent in to bat, with Cairns unbeaten on 60 off 71 balls at the close.

New Zealand's topscorer was the recalled Mathew Sinclair, who replaced the ill Craig McMillan and batted 224 minutes for 74, including eight fours and two sixes.

He was removed lbw by South African spinner Nicky Boje, the most successful bowler, who took three for 61 off 19 overs.

Jacques Kallis took one for four off seven overs this morning before leaving the field with a side strain.

Scoreboard

NEW ZEALAND

First innings

M Richardson c Boucher b Kallis 14

M Papps lbw b Ntini 7

S Fleming c Pollock b Boje 30

M Sinclair lbw b Boje 74

S Styris b Boje 1

B McCullum lbw b Pollock 55

C Cairns not out 60

Extras (1b, 1lb, 5nb) 7

Total (for 6 wkts, 89.5 overs) 248

Fall: 23 (Papps), 23 (Richardson), 90 (Fleming), 97 (Styris), 163 (Sinclair), 248 (McCullum).

Bowling: S Pollock 22.5-1-62-1 (4nb), M Ntini 21-6-63-1 (1nb), J Kallis 7-5-4-1, A Nel 20-7-56-0, N Boje 19-2-61-3.

- NZPA