Abu Dhabi Baz festival

Photo: Reuters

Ton of guts: Under-fire Black Caps opener Brendon McCullum celebrates his century in yesterday's one-day international against Pakistan.

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BRENDON McCullum's match-winning century against Pakistan was as pressure-basted as it was long-awaited.

But more important than his ton was the fact that every senior player in this New Zealand team stood up and did their part.

In the wake of Andy Moles' departure as coach, which came against the backdrop of player disquiet, both New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and NZ Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan stressed the need for the senior players to take on what Vaughan called "real leadership".

For a refreshing change, that's what happened in Abu Dhabi.

Yes, McCullum was in great form, but Jacob Oram's effort late in the innings helped ensure New Zealand built a 300-plus total.

Oram came in with McCullum on 98 and New Zealand, after a great start, teetering slightly at 218-6 in the 39th over.

Through the power play that ensued Oram curbed his natural desire to smash the ball and let McCullum accelerate the scoring, the pair adding 58 runs off 47 balls to put New Zealand out of reach on 303.

In the words of Scott Styris, it was an "intelligent innings".

Styris himself was brilliant with the ball as he lowered Pakistan from a dangerous-looking 124-1 to 133-4 with three wickets for six runs in 11 balls, two great catches from Ross Taylor making the difference.

Add in Vettori's typically efficient performance and the standout players were McCullum, Oram, Vettori and Taylor: the most experienced players in the team.

"We felt the veterans had to stand up and take some pressure off Dan [Vettori] and let him concentrate on playing his own game," Styris said.

"The older guys would love to win lots of games and allow the younger players like Martin Guptill to develop at their own pace and become the great players they are destined to be."

The virtue of having someone with the experience of Styris back in the team cannot be understated.

Playing just his third ODI of the year, Styris was influential on and off the field.

He revealed to the Star-Times that before the game he and McCullum had chatted about the best way for the opener to play.

"I had a conversation with him before the game and we talked about how the great one-day openers like Adam Gilchrist can make a fast start, get to 50 or 60, and then knuckle down and play within themselves before accelerating away at the end, and that's what Brendon did."

McCullum was stripped of the vice-captaincy before this tour and was the subject of torrid debate about where he should bat: as an opener or down the order.

For now, he has answered that question."It was great for Baz today," Styris said.

"He's adamant he wants to bat at the top of the order ... he's been under pressure at home but he also puts immense pressure on himself because he wants to do a good job for his country.

"He can feel justifiably proud of that innings because of the pressure he was under."

Styris played a small role in making sure McCullum did well, virtually sacrificing himself to a run-out after McCullum called him through on a touch-and-go single.

Styris hesitated and was run out for nine but he was happy his unselfish play had its reward when McCullum made his ton.

"I think Brendon owes me a beer for that," Styris said.

McCullum finished with 131 off 129 balls with 14 fours and three sixes.

It was his first "real" ODI century after his previous ton – a rollicking 161 – had come against Ireland.

- © Fairfax NZ News