McCullum and Vettori have put on a decent partnership in the last hour but New Zealand will know that this is a below-par score on a good batting pitch. The top four threw away their wickets after getting starts while Flynn was cleaned up by a beauty. Hauritz impressed on his comeback to international cricket, picking up two wickets after being smashed around earlier on. He later picked up an ankle injury and has not taken the field since. Vettori and McCullum will need to put up a big stand with not much batting to follow afterwards.

So NZ round off the day with a steady partnership of 34. Both are naturally aggressive players but have tempered their game to suit the situation. New Zealand probably haven’t done full justice to this pitch today by ending six wickets down. Save for Daniel Flynn, the rest gave their wickets away by trying to go over the top. Credit to the Australian bowlers for bowling well within themselves after a difficult first session and the fielders backed them up well too.