CAPTAIN Brendon McCullum became the first New Zealander to score a triple century in Test cricket in a 13-hour innings which ended today as the home side posted a lead of 434 on the final day of the second Test against India.



India was 0-10 at the break at the Basin Reserve after New Zealand declared on 8-680, its highest-ever Test score.

McCullum hit a four off Zaheer Khan to go from 298 to 302 and overtake Martin Crowe’s 299 against Sri Lanka in 1991 - also at the Basin Reserve.

He was out shortly after without adding to his total when he was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Zaheer.

Shikhar Dhawan was on two with Murali Vijay on seven at the interval.

Only 24 cricketers have broken the 300 barrier, four of them twice - including West Indian Brian Lara who holds the world record for the highest Test innings of 400.

Crowe said before the start of the day’s play that he was willing McCullum to smash his record.

“I’m confident that he’ll get through. I’ve said for a while now that it’s time New Zealand joined the other Test playing nations in the triple-century list,” he told Radio New Zealand.

New Zealand leads the two-Test series 1-0 after winning the first test at Auckland by 40 runs.

Jimmy Neesham made a century on debut in a 179-run partnership with McCullum for the seventh wicket and was 137 not out.