Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey scored half-centuries to put Australia in a strong position in the second Test in Adelaide on Saturday.
At close on Day 2, Australia, replying to New Zealand's 270, were 241 for 3, with Hussey unbeaten on 69 and Michael Clarke on 43.
Ponting was the last home batsman to be dismissed. Australia's captain fell in the second over after tea for 79, including 13 fours, caught at short mid-wicket by Peter Fulton after facing 124 deliveries.
Matthew Hayden was run-out for 24 before lunch in his 100th Test after a mix-up with opening partner Simon Katich.
Eleven runs later, Katich was caught off bat and pad by Jesse Ryder for 23 off spinner Daniel Vettori, reducing the Aussies to 2-49. But Ponting and Hussey batted steadily to take Australia to 155 before being seperated.
Overnight 262-6, New Zealand's first innings lasted just 8.3 overs more with Brett Lee (4-66) and Mitchell Johnson (2-56) claiming the last four wickets.
Australia lead the two-match series 1-0.
Scorecard
New Zealand (1st innings - overnight 6-262):
A Redmond c Symonds b Hauritz 83
J How c Haddin b Johnson 16
J Ryder c Clarke b Hauritz 13
R Taylor lbw Clark 44
P Fulton c Katich b Symonds 29
D Flynn b Llee 11
B McCullum c Haddin b Lee 30
D Vettori not out 18
T Southee c Katich b Johnson 2
I O'Brien c Haddin b Lee 0
C Martin b Lee 0
Extras: (4b 8lb 1w 11nb) 24
Total: 270
Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-101, 3-130, 4-194, 5-200, 6-228, 7-266, 8-269, 9-270, 10-270.
Bowling: Lee 25.3-8-66-4, Clark 20-6-56-1 (2nb), Johnson 25-5-56-2 (1w), Hauritz 16-2-63-2 (1nb), Symonds 12-2-17-1 (1nb).
Australia (1st innings):
M Hayden run out 24
S Katich c Ryder b Vettori 23
R Ponting c Fulton b O'Brien 79
M Hussey not out 69
M Clarke not out 43
Extras: (3lb) 3
Total: (for 3 wkts) 241
Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-49, 3-155.
Bowling: Martin 13-3-50-0, Southee 18-1-62-0, Vettori 28-12-54-1, O'brien 16-3-63-1, Ryder 4-1-9-0.
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