The BLACKCAPS plan will be simple as they go about chasing a series-levelling victory over the final two days of the second cricket test against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve.
The odds of a draw remain high, particularly with heavy rain and gale force northerlies forecast for this afternoon and more rain expected tomorrow, but if the weather behaves New Zealand will want to get as many runs as possible today so they can let captain Daniel Vettori loose on a turning final day wicket tomorrow.
Vettori backed up his first innings knock of 110 with four for 100 from 47 testing overs yesterday as the hosts claimed the last seven Pakistan wickets for 90 runs to dismiss them for 376.
New Zealand's opening pair of Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill safely negotiated five overs to reach nine without loss, trailing by just 11 runs.
New Zealand pace bowler Chris Martin, who took three wickets in the final session to end with four for 91 from 32 overs, and Pakistan batsman Younis Khan, who scored 73, both declared the match evenly poised but Martin took comfort from the fact the hosts would not have to bat last on a wicket which was showing signs of wear and tear.
"I suppose the amount of turn that is happening at the moment is a good thing and there will definitely be some uncomfortable moments later in the game, I'm glad we are not batting last on it," Martin said.
"I think we will have to play well and it's another opportunity for us to get a good score on that thing. lt is hard work but as we saw today we had a six-wicket session, so it can't be too bad (for bowling)."
Martin said a batting approach had not yet been discussed, though New Zealand need to force the issue as they trail the two-match series 0-1.
"I suppose we turn up and all the cliches will ring true, about batting that morning session and seeing where we're at. They bowled quite a few overs to us in that first innings so it's just a matter of wearing them down again later in the day."
He did not know what a good fourth-innings target might be.
"It depends how much time we have in the game and how far we get with the run rate. I know there will be an opportunity for Dan to come into the game quite strongly on that last afternoon."
Pakistan had been cruising at 286 for three just before tea yesterday in reply to New Zealand's 356 but Vettori struck a vital blow with the last ball before the break.
The visiting captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, had shared in a 142-run stand for the fourth wicket with Khan, but the latter's dismissal was a key moment when he was incorrectly given out by umpire Rod Tucker. Having missed the ball and watched it thud into his pads, Khan raised his head to see Tucker adjudge him caught at short leg by Jesse Ryder off Vettori's bowling.
It was the seventh decision that would have been overturned had the decision review system been in use, with New Zealand now ahead 5-2 in those stakes.
Misbah led the way with a defiant 99, falling agonisingly short of his third test century after a 207-ball innings that lasted a tick over five hours.
NZPA
