Brendon McCullum leads the way for Academy success

Brendon McCullum scored a timely and unbeaten 106 for the New Zealand Academy to see them to a six-wicket win over the State Auckland Aces at Lincoln Green yesterday.

Chasing a target of 192 for victory in the 50-over match, the Academy side paced their innings well with McCullum showing what a tremendous asset he is going to be for Otago when he is able to play first-class cricket to the level he has achieved in the age-groups and in the Academy side.

His innings took only 90 balls and included three sixes and 12 fours. Jamie How scored 32 and Chris Harris 27. Brooke Walker, the Auckland captain, took two wickets for 54 runs.

Earlier, the Academy side had benefited from international left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori's trial bowl when he sent down his 10 overs and had four for 36, sufficient to earn him a trip back to Australia to rejoin the CLEAR Black Caps.

The win was a good one for the Academy who have faced a demanding programme in recent weeks, a programme which reaches its finale next week with matches against the Queensland Academy of Sport side at Lincoln Green.

However, the final make-up of the side is not known as Academy director Dayle Hadlee is still trying to find bowlers for the side to compensate for the number of injuries his bowlers are suffering at the moment.