Australia close in on Kiwis

New Zealand, 0-1 down in the series, had been bowled out for 292 after resuming at 199-5, losing their last five wickets for just 64 runs. Paceman Glenn McGrath and leg-spinner Shane Warne collected two wickets apiece to finish with three each while Daniel Vettori propped up the tail with an unbeaten 41 off 50 deliveries.

Australia made a shaky start to their reply, losing Justin Langer (6) and Matthew Hayden (38) before tea, but Ponting put them back in control with his 22nd Test century.

The skipper showed no mercy against the New Zealand bowlers, belting 13 boundaries and four sixes in a brilliant display that ended when he was caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off part-time spinner Nathan Astle.

“I felt really good out there but it wasn’t a pre-planned thing, just go out there, see it and hit it really,” Ponting told a news conference.

Brief scores: New Zealand: 292 (H.Marshall 76, S.Fleming 65, D.Vettori 41 n.o, McGrath 3-49, Gillespie 2-64, Kasprowicz 2-89, Warne 3-63) vs Australia: 219-4 (M.Hayden 38, R.Ponting 105, D.Martyn 38, Franklin 2-49)