HYDERABAD: New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum struck a superb 124 not out to defy India the fourth day of the second Test Monday. McCullum, 29, hit 11 fours and three sixes in his 177-ball knock as the visitors reached 237-4 at close in reply to India's first-innings 472, built around a record century by tailender Harbhajan Singh. New Zealand, which made 350 in its first essay, lead by 115 runs with six wickets in hand. Kane Williamson (12) was the other not out batsman at the crease when stumps were called for the day. McCullum dominated India's bowlers. He added 125 runs with Tim McIntosh to register New Zealand's first century-stand for the opening wicket in six years. McIntosh was caught on 49 by substitute fielder Cheteshwar Pujara off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. However, TV replays suggested the ball had rebounded off the pads. He hit six fours and a six in his 126-ball innings. Ojha picked his second wicket when he had Martin Guptill caught behind the stumps for 18 while Sreesanth sent back Ross Taylor (seven) with a delivery that uprooted the off-stump. Jesse Ryder (20) appeared in good touch but his innings was cut short by part-timer Suresh Raina shortly before the close. Earlier, Harbhajan hammered an unbeaten 111 off 114 balls to become the first No. 8 batsman in the world to score centuries in successive Tests. Harbhajan had notched up his maiden Test hundred last week to help India salvage a draw in the opener against the Kiwis in Ahmedabad. His feat surpasses the record of New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori who scored 140 and 99 batting at No. 8 in back-to-back Tests last year. Sreesanth too defied the New Zealand attack for close to two hours before being trapped leg before wicket off Vettori. He made 24 off 71 balls with three fours and shared 105 runs with Harbhajan for the last wicket. Aussies name squad Australia named a 17-man squad Monday for the first Ashes Test against England in Brisbane as selectors looked to keep their options open after a rash of injuries and slumps in form. Uncapped batsman Usman Khawaja and leg-spinner Steve Smith – both in their early 20s and set to face England for Australia A this week – were surprise inclusions in the party for the Gabba Test, which starts on Nov. 25. Vice captain Michael Clarke (back), opener Simon Katich (thumb) and Doug Bollinger (side) were named despite injury concerns, as was fast bowler Ryan Harris, despite his injured knee swelling up after his return last week. Strike bowler Mitchell Johnson and offspinner Nathan Hauritz have also been given a chance to prove their critics wrong after poor recent displays on the international stage. Experienced middle-order batsmen Mike Hussey and Marcus North are retained but will have to be on their toes with big-scoring Pakistan-born Khawaja waiting in the wings. Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper).
