Brendon McCullum made an impressive half-century in his first hit-out on the tour of Australia as the New Zealanders drew a warm-up match with the Cricket Australia XI.
Not even fast bowler Peter Siddle could temper the skipper, who hit 58 off 49 balls - including a trio of sixes - on a flat Manuka Oval pitch in Canberra on Sunday.
Brendon McCullum. Photo: AFP
The Black Caps, who are preparing for the first Test in Brisbane on November the 5th, reached 368 for 8 at stumps on day two of the day day match, in reply to the hosts 325 declared.
Only four wickets fell across two days and more than 170 overs, proving frustrating for bowlers from both sides but valuable for their batsmen.
Kane Williamson (68), Hamish Rutherford (41), BJ Watling (41), Luke Ronchi (39) and Mark Craig (60) also retired after solid innings, while Doug Bracewell (15) and Matt Henry (19) finished not out.
Opener Martin Guptill was the first of just two dismissals, bowled for a duck by young Queensland quick Billy Stanlake (1-25), while Ross Taylor (16) was caught off a Jason Behrendorff (1-31) ball.
New Zealand's batting coach Craig McMillan admitted the conditions were nothing like what they're expected to face during the Test series, but said there was still some value in the match.
McMillan said it was highly likely the Black Caps' line-up for the four-day clash with the CA XI in Blacktown starting Thursday would be very close to their first Test side.