Top matches of 2014 - 3) Black Caps v Pakistan

Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum leave the field at the end of play during day two of the third test between Pakistan and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

The Herald counts down the greatest sporting encounters of the year.

New Zealand v Pakistan, 3rd test, Sharjah

Australian international Phillip Hughes' death marked the test with a sympathetic asterisk but the innings and 80-run victory still ranks among New Zealand's most exceptional, considering they lost the toss and were confronted by a sheen of batting-friendly clay.

Out of respect for Hughes, the teams rested their respective green and black caps on their bats before the postponed start to the second day. A minute's silence sustained the poignant mood.

The lack of elation surrounding Tim Southee's dismissal of Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq reflected the circumstances. If you hadn't observed the edge it looked like Misbah was shuffling off to get new gloves. Likewise, Trent Boult took a candidate for cricket's most undemonstrative catch at deep mid-wicket, reverse-cupping Mohammad Hafeez on his highest test score of 197. A mute button had been pressed on the ground despite Pakistan collapsing from 281 for three to 351 all out.

The apathy translated into a laissez-faire approach which became an antidote - along with a flat pitch - to dealing with the menace of Pakistani spin. Zulfiqar Babar didn't take a wicket for the first time in the series and, while Yasir Shah took four, both conceded seven sixes apiece.

New Zealand posted a record 690. It was the first time six of the country's batsmen had scored over 50 in a test innings despite advancing into a melancholic void. Leading by 339, they dismissed Pakistan for 259 in the second innings.

McCullum (202) and Kane Williamson (192) took an eraser to the country's 22-year-old record partnership for the second-wicket against all countries, posting 297.

Until his Hagley Oval pyrotechnics, McCullum's 78-ball century was the fastest by a New Zealander in a test. He joined Sir Donald Bradman and Michael Clarke as players to make a triple century and two or more double centuries in a 12-month period.

Elsewhere, Daniel Vettori was plucked from the New Zealand A tour to join the country's first three-prong test spin attack in 16 years and play his record-breaking 112th test for New Zealand. The 35-year-old said he expected it to be his last and was farewelled by his wife, children and parents, who watched from the main stand as he extended his test longevity to 17 years and 297 days.

However, the move to find spin successors advanced with the development of Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig. Craig's man-of-the-match performance of 10 for 203 and 65 runs came at an opportune time.

Top matches of 2014:

10 - Djokovic v Federer
9 - Chiefs v Bulls/Cheetahs
8 - Kansas City v Oakland
7 - Panthers v Roosters
6 - Netherlands v Spain
5 - All Blacks 51 Wallabies 20
4 - Black Caps v India