Cricket: In the shadow of Cullinan

By Richard Boock

Isaac Newton was right about this relativity thing. It wasn't so long ago - before test cricket pitches were glued perhaps - when an overnight score of 205 for two would have had most Kiwi fans turning cartwheels in the street.

In this particular case, however, New Zealand's innings in the first Bank of New Zealand test at Eden Park is still 70 runs short of what Daryll Cullinan managed off his own bat, 216 runs short of the follow-on mark, and two days away from any certain degree of relief.

At stumps last night Matt Horne was only eight runs shy of his third test century and Craig McMillan had soldiered through to 21, but still New Zealand were grafting in the shadow of South Africa's 621 for five declared.

The tourists' run fest was called off by skipper Hansie Cronje the moment Cullinan, who resumed yesterday on 246, passed Graeme Pollock's mark of 274 to post the highest individual test score by a South African.

But if Cronje had been half as keen on statistics as the hundreds who follow this sport, he might have at least held off until the end of the over to allow the total to become his nation's largest in tests. The tourists only needed two more runs to surpass their highest-ever, scored against Australia at Durban 29 years ago.

"Ah, we didn't know that," Bob Woolmer said after stumps, chuckling. "Blame Hansie, it's his fault."

As expected, the Proteas batted on for just over an hour yesterday, with Shaun Pollock lending excellent support to Cullinan, and bringing up his 50 off 120 balls, including nine fours and a six.

Cullinan was his usual self if last weekend was any guide, playing with great power and timing and wasting no time in regaining the initiative over the Kiwi attack. He brought up his 250 in 611 minutes before cantering past Jackie McGlew's 255 not out - previously the second highest in South African test history.

New Zealand have only once begun their first innings reply under a bigger shadow, and that was when the West Indies amassed 660 for five at Wellington in the summer of 1994-95, before winning the test by an innings and 322 runs.

Yesterday afternoon's effort was in stark contrast to that debacle, however, and while the pitch might have done no favours for the South African bowlers, the New Zealanders batted with the sort of fighting spirit which has typified their progress this summer.

Horne added 80 with Roger Twose for the opening wicket and when he departed - to a stiff-wristed prod outside his off-stump - put on 90 with Nathan Astle, who left to a similar shot when the total was 170.

He brought up his 50 off 117 balls and has battled for just over five hours in total, and his team will need him to continue in Cullinan mode today if the match is to saved.

Said Woolmer last night: "The wicket's very flat. We've found the best idea on this type of surface is to ask the opposition to score 400 to avoid the follow-on.

"There was never any point in pulling out at 450 or 500. History shows us that a target of about 600 is the only way to play the game."

Pictured: New Zealand opener Matt Horne drives against South Africa in the first test at Eden Park yesterday. PICTURE / FOTOPRESS