Cricket: Test in balance as NZ's batting wobbles

Shane Bond is bowled by Mohammad Asif at University Oval in Dunedin. Photo / Getty Images

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New Zealand surrendered a rare position of dominance as costly misjudgments and a batting collapse provided Pakistan with the chance to claim the first cricket test at University Oval here tomorrow.

Despite conceding a 97-run first innings lead, Pakistan had regained the initiative at the close of play on a day notable for Peter Fulton's reluctance to employ the new umpire decision review system - and some questionable decisions by West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove.

Shane Bond's five-wicket haul -- his fifth in tests -- early on day four was almost relegated to an after thought given the 34-year-old will likely need to repeat the feat if his test comeback is to have a happy ending .

New Zealand were 147 for eight, an overall lead of 244, when bad light stopped play.

Fast bowler Chris Martin admitted another batting wobble was disappointing but felt a target of 250 might be defendable.

"With the lead we had and the runs we've got now, the game is poised and it's definitely there for us to take," he said.

"Anything over 250 on a wearing wicket with variable bounce is going to be a big ask for them, especially if we do everything in a disciplined manner."

Grant Elliott restarts on 20 - the first double figure score of his four-test career - with Iain O'Brien alongside on four.

Not even Daniel Vettori could play saviour this time - the captain's loose flick at a ball after being dropped in the slips encapsulating New Zealand's batting frailties.

New Zealand quickly set about negating their advantage as teenage tormentor Mohammad Aamer removed Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn without a run on the board.

Guptill was beaten by a delivery that bent back middle stump though, in the opener's defence, a blow to his right eye during warm-ups affected his vision.

A crease-bound Daniel Flynn had no excuse when he was plumb leg before wicket in Aamer's next over, a setback that condemned Tim McIntosh and Taylor to steady the innings.

They posted 87 for the third wicket before Khurran Manzoor's direct hit to run Taylor out illustrated the folly of attempting a single to short square leg.

Taylor departed for 59 from 83 balls - his second fifty of the match and seventh of his career - and the implications of losing their leading strokemaker was soon apparent as New Zealand crumbled to lose five wickets for 36 runs.

Fulton was the second gift wrapped wicket when he failed to refer his leg before wicket dismissal by Umar Gul to third umpire Rudi Koertzen.

Although Fulton suspected the ball had clipped his bat, he did not request a review and by the time teammates alerted him he was on the boundary edge and it was too late for Koertzen to intervene.

"He was unsure whether he'd hit the ball," Martin explained.

"It was a very fine edge and sometimes you think you hit your pad or your boot or the ground, it's hard to know."

"It's a new format and such a new part of the game that, like most things, it's going to take a while to get used to it and to get better at it.

"I think next time if you've got a hunch you'll pretty much go for it (the review)."

Tim McIntosh's doggedness then ended on 31 when Pakistan finally employed the review system successfully after Doctrove initially turned Mohammad Asif's lbw appeal.

Replays confirmed McIntosh was out, ending 200 minutes and 136 balls worth of resistance as New Zealand tottered to 112 for five.

The review system then came to New Zealand's aid when Doctrove erred again -- missing Asif overstepping before incorrectly turning down the paceman's lbw appeal.

Although the ball was going to strike Elliott's stumps he was saved when Koertzen detected the no ball.

But there was no debate about Brendon McCullum's removal, he edged Asif to Kamran Akmal's gloves to become the fourth duck of a sorry New Zealand batting card.

Pakistan were dismissed for 332 in reply to New Zealand's 429 after resuming on 307 for eight.

Bond wrapped up the innings when Aamer mistimed a pull to Vettori to finish with an impressive five for 107 from 27.5 overs. Asif was the chief destroyer today with four for 41.

- NZPA