NZ plot methods to stop Australian batsmen

The Black Caps will think outside the square in a desperate bid to stop Australia winning the second Test and clinching a 2-0 series whitewash.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum

The Black Caps will think outside the square to stop Australia winning the second Test. (AAP)

Brendon McCullum's final hurrah from New Zealand cricket involves one more chance to innovate.

Australia need 131 runs to win the second Test when play resumes on Wednesday while New Zealand have the unenviable task of bagging nine wickets at Hagley Oval.

Opener Joe Burns is on 27 and Usman Khawaja 19, with their team 70-1 in pursuit of 201 to clinch the series 2-0.

New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson believes McCullum will have replaced his Black cap with a thinking cap overnight.

The retiring skipper, who has built a reputation on innovation and aggression, is expected to unleash some curve balls to prise the tourists strong top order off a flat pitch.

"We're going to have to come up with some interesting fields and give it a real crack," Anderson said.

"We haven't got heaps of runs to play with but if we can deny them and hopefully a couple of things go our way, then we're a sniff.

"If we can go bang-bang (two wickets) in the morning then we're a chance."

Anderson's 40 helped New Zealand reach 355 on Tuesday and send the Test into a fifth day, something they couldn't achieve in the innings loss in Wellington.

He hopes his bowlers can find some movement under forecast cloud cover.

That could aid new ball pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who have been fairly ineffectual in the series.

New Zealand have relied on the intimidatory approach of Neil Wagner for their Christchurch wickets. He claimed six in the first innings and removed David Warner for 22 at the start of the second.

Anderson senses the Australian lower order is vulnerable if it can be exposed.

"We managed to run through the tail pretty quickly in the first innings after they'd put on about 400 for the first (four) wickets.

"If we can get in a similar situation then we've just got to back ourselves."


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Source: AAP


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