I had this conversation today and I guess I can see that McCullum is not a guy that settles however you are up 1-0 in the series, you were in a hole and 2 players just dug you out of it, 390 off 110 overs (now 340 off 90) is gettable on a batters wicket that saw 1 wicket today and 10 on the 2 days before that. I think it would have been a smarter move to potentially let Williamson get his 300 and bat them right out of the game. As it it, I think they will finish on 260/4 meaning the declaration was worthless other than robbing Williamson of a potential 300.
I was thinking this. However, neither of us are Brendan McCullum and there is a reason he's winning test matches. He likes to smash, smash and smash. Makes for a damn good finish. But yeh- wouldn't have minded a declaration mid first session tomorrow. However, who knows what will happen with the pitch and weather tomorrow?