Stuart Carlisle scored his maiden Test hundred to help Zimbabwe post a respectable total of 256 for eight on the opening day of the second Test with Australia on Friday.Carlisle bettered his previous high score of 77, made against India two seasons ago, to finish with 118 before falling just before the close of play.Zimbabwe had seemed to be heading towards a lower total after losing Dion Ebrahim, Trevor Gripper and Mark Vermeulen in the first hour before Carlisle came to the rescue. The 31-year-old shared half-century partnerships with Tatenda Taibu and Heath Streak as he slowly set about rebuilding the innings in front of a dismal Sydney Cricket Ground crowd of 5,455.Carlisle had a let-off on 36 when Matthew Hayden dropped him at slip but hardly played another false shot against a second-string Australian attack. SCOREBOARD Zimbabwe (1st Innings): D Ebrahim b Lee 9, T Gripper c Gilchrist b Bichel 15, M Vermeulen lbw Williams 17, S Carlisle c Ponting b Bichel 118, C Wishart c Gilchrist b Williams 14, T Taibu c Gilchrist b Hogg 27, H Streak lbw Hogg 14, G Ewing c Martyn b Lee 2, A Blignaut batting 9, R Price batting 7 Extras (b-4, lb-10, w-3, nb-7): 24 Total (For 8 wkts): 256 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-45, 3-47, 4-95, 5-151, 6-218, 7-222, 8-243 Bowling: Lee 20-4-64-2, Williams 18-4-43-2, Bichel 21-7-59-2, Hogg 17-4-35-2, Waugh 4-0-7-0, Katich 7-0-25-0, Martyn 3-1-9-0
