21 Mar 2010

Bollinger all but assures Australia of victory in first cricket test

7:59 pm on 21 March 2010

The fast bowler Doug Bollinger has all but assured Australia of victory in the first cricket test against New Zealand in Wellington.

At stumps on the third day at the Basin Reserve, the Black Caps are 187 for five in their second innings, still needing a further 115 runs to make Australia bat again.

The home side was forced to follow-on, after being dismissed earlier in the day for 157, with Bollinger taking a career best five for 28, to give Australia a first innings lead of 302.

New Zealand began their second innings with a solid opening stand of 70, between B J Watling and Tim McIntosh before Watling was dismissed for 33.

McIntosh made 83, batting for four and a half hours before being caught in close off the bowling of off spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Dan Vettori's not out on 18 and Brendon McCullum four.