22 Mar 2010

Black Caps fighting to avoid innings loss

6:03 am on 22 March 2010

The first target for the New Zealand cricketers at the Basin Reserve today is avoiding an innings loss.

The Black Caps start day four on 187 for 5 in their second innings, needing another 115 runs to make Australia bat a second time.

The left arm pace bowler Doug Bollinger has starred for Australia with 7 wickets for the match, including 5 for 28 in New Zealand's first innings.

The Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori stormed into the match referee's room during the break in innings yesterday after Tim Southee had been given out caught behind when his bat clearly made no contact with the ball.

Match referee Javagal Srinath was unavailable to reporters after play, although he confirmed through a spokesman he had a "casual conversation" with Vettori.