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South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan remembered the last time he batted at Eden Park - and the hundred that got away.

Yesterday he made up for getting out at 96 four seasons ago by forging on to an unbeaten 246, the third highest score in South Africa's history.

``Too often I gave good starts away and got out, like the time we were last here and I got 96. I was determined to push on this time,'' said Cullinan, after his 10-hour epic in which he faced 436 balls and hit 25 fours and two sixes.

Cullinan, who turns 32 on Thursday, felt a new maturity had come into his play in the last year or so.

``I've played better as I've got older. I used to play a few rash shots which cost me.''

Cullinan spearheaded South Africa's batting assault on the Black Caps.

At stumps they were 562 for five, the highest score made by the Proteas against New Zealand.

Cullinan is still 10 away from overhauling the highest individual score made by a South African against New Zealand.

Jackie McGlew holds that distinction with an unbeaten 255 in Wellington in 1952-53.

Cullinan could get the opportunity to break the record with South African skipper Hansie Cronje considering batting on for another hour today.

``We only want to bat once and the wicket's appearance has changed a bit with the sun on it.

``One or two balls are doing a bit extra, Daniel Vettori's getting some turn out of the footmarks and Chris Harris made one or two bounce.''

Cullinan is South Africa's eighth double century maker but its 10th over all, with Graeme Pollock and Dudley Nourse having performed the feat twice. He is now the third highest scorer in its history behind Pollock (274) and McGlew.

Cullinan said he did not think his family at home knew of the achievement last night.

``I just rang home but there was no answer. My wife and I are just getting our one-and-a-half-year-old sleeping through the night and we try not to disturb him.''