AUCKLAND, MARCH 11: Australia, stung after being dismissed for 214 in their first innings, roared back to claim four New Zealand wickets late on the opening day of the first cricket Test, at the Eden Park on Saturday.The Kiwis' joy at dismissing Australia off 71 overs was soon wiped away as Steve Waugh's men applied the blowtorch to have the home side at 26 for four at close.Express bowler Brett Lee claimed 2-0 off his two overs, including nightwatchman Paul Wiseman with the last ball of the day, to swing the pendulum back to Australia on an intriguing opening day's play.Up until the final hour, it had been New Zealand's day as Australia, seeking a record-equalling eighth consecutive Test victory, were made to struggle for runs on a turning pitch. Australia were also mindful that they had lost their last three Tests to New Zealand at Eden Park and had not won here since 1977.Spinners Daniel Vettori and Wiseman shared eight wickets between them as only Mark Waugh and Justin Langer defied the New Zealand bowling to post good scores.Mark Waugh remained unbeaten on 72 while No 3 Langer was more the dasher than usual, clubbing 46 runs off 47 balls with eight boundaries and a six.But New Zealand finished the day sensationally losing Matthew Horne (3), Mathew Sinclair (8), Craig Spearman (12) and Wiseman (1) to a determined attack. Skipper Stephen Fleming was yet to open his account.Glenn McGrath snared Horne's wicket with a catch by Greg Blewett in the gully, while the nervous Sinclair offered no shot and was trapped plumb in front by a Shane Warne top-spinner.It was Warne's 352nd Test wicket and just four away from becoming Australia's all-time leading Test wicket-taker.Spearman was caught magnificently by a diving Damien Martyn at third slip off Lee's second ball and the New South Wales tearaway saved his best until last skittling Wiseman's stumps with a yorker.Australia looked to be cruising after losing Michael Slater early for five and Blewett and Langer put on 67 runs for the second wicket before Langer was coaxed down the pitch by Vettori and was stumped by Adam Parore leaving the tourists at 77 for two.From there, Australia struggled to string together meaningful partnerships and only Mark Waugh batted against the trend in a more circumspect role than usual.Australia went to lunch at 97 for three, but lost four wickets in the middle session for the addition of 92 runs.ScoreboardAustralia (1st innings): M Slater b Cairns 5, G Blewett c Astle b Wiseman 17, J Langer st Parore b Wiseman 46, M Waugh not out 72, S Waugh c Spearman b Vettori 17, D Martyn c Astle b Vettori 17, A Gilchrist lbw b Wiseman 7, S Warne c Fleming b Vettori 7, B Lee c Parore b Vettori 6, C Miller b Cairns 0, G McGrath c Spearman b Vettori 8, Extras: (b7, lb4, nb1) 12. Total (all out in 71 overs) 214Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-77, 3-78, 4-114, 5-138, 6-161, 7-184, 8-192, 9-193Bowling: Cairns 18-0-71-2, Doull 14-6-21-0, Vettori 25-8-62-5, Wiseman 14-2-49-3New Zealand (1st innings): M Horne c Blewett b McGrath 3, C Spearman c Martyn b Lee 12, M Sinclair lbw b Warne 8, P Wiseman b Lee 1, S Fleming batting 0, Extras: (nb2) 2. Total (for 4 wickets, 17 overs) 26Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-25, 3-25, 4-26.Bowling: McGrath 7-2-12-1, Miller 6-1-13-0, Warne 2-1-1-1, Brett Lee 2-2-0-2.
