Wellington, March 22 NZPA - Rain forced a 30-minute delay to the fourth day of the first cricket test as New Zealand battle to avoid an innings defeat against Australia here.

Several showers of rain saw the covers dragged onto the Basin Reserve pitch in high winds this morning, but the weather cleared to allow a start to be scheduled for 11.30am (NZT).

The forecast was for drizzle today, turning to evening rain, with high winds continuing.

New Zealand were set to resume on 187 for five, following on in their second innings still 115 short of making Australia bat again.

Captain Daniel Vettori was on 18 and Brendon McCullum on four.