Taylor leads NZ recovery

Ross Taylor's knock of 78 kept New Zealand in the second Test with Pakistan as they ended the first day in Wellington on 246-6.

Taylor starred for the hosts at the Basin Reserve, but even his innings still saw the Black Caps floundering on 180-6 after he was dismissed.

Reece Young and Daniel Vettori steadied the ship somewhat as they shared an unbeaten stand of 66 to put the side into a far healthier position by the close of play.

The Black Caps won the toss and chose to bat but they endured another poor start with Brendon McCullum out for just two when he was lbw to Umar Gul with only three runs on the board.

McCullum was replaced by Kane Williamson who, with Martin Guptill, moved the score along to 46 before he was caught by Adnan off the bowling of Gul after making 21 off 34 deliveries.

Guptill was fortunate to survive when TV replays showed he got a nick on the ball when he was on five but he was given not out. He then dug in and staved off danger as the hosts reached 80-2 at lunch.

However, it was all undone shortly after when the hosts lost two wickets in successive deliveries by Tanvir Ahmed.

Guptill lost concentration and hit a loose shot which saw the ball go through to wicketkeeper Adnan off Tanvir.

Guptill had ground out 29 and departed with the score on 98-3. He was replaced by Jesse Ryder who became Tanvir's second victim of the day with the very next ball.

Driving seat

It was Ryder's second successive golden duck and Pakistan were in the driving seat.

However, Taylor was a guiding light for the hosts as he reached tea unbeaten on 65 and was accompanied by James Franklin on 21, as the pair ground out just 67 runs in the second session.

The pair then moved the score on to 166 when Franklin was out to a soft dismissal.

Abdur Rehman bowled a short delivery which Franklin tried to work away but he managed to get an edge with Adnan doing well to hang on. Franklin had made 33 off 97 deliveries and shared a stand of 68 with Taylor.

Just 14 more had been added to the total when Taylor went, also to a poor dismissal.

He slashed at a Wahab Riaz delivery outside off stump but he got a nick on it and Adnan dived to his right to remove the hosts' danger man.

Taylor had made 78 off 168 balls including six boundaries and one six. At that point things did not look good for New Zealand but Young (28no) and Vettori, unbeaten on 38, ensured they reached the close without any further mishaps.

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