Kiwis on top despite McGrath haul
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Glenn McGrath captured six wickets as Australia bowled out New Zealand for 433 on the second day of the first test.
Australia, in reply, were 141 for three at the close, trailing by 292 runs. Ricky Ponting is on 41 with nightwatchman Jason Gillespie yet to score.
The Kiwis began the day on 265 for three with Hamish Marshall 103 and Nathan Astle 29, and seemed set for a total in excess of 500 before McGrath ran through the lower-order to finish with figures of six for 115 from 42 overs.
Marshall and Astle took their fourth-wicket stand to 131 in the morning session before Shane Warne bowled Marshall around his pads for 146 with a classic leg spin delivery.
Number three batsman Marshall, who reached his maiden test hundred on Thursday, compiled the joint fifth highest innings by a New Zealander against Australia. His knock lasted 256 balls and nearly six hours and featured 23 fours and a six.
Astle went on to make 74 as the last seven wickets tumbled for 103 runs. But the total of 433 was still New Zealand's fifth highest against Australia.
McGrath, who had two straightforward catches dropped off his bowling on day one, claimed his first wicket when Craig McMillan (13) edged to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist before lunch.
The fast bowler cleaned up the tail after the resumption to record his 26th five-wicket haul in tests and lift his career tally to 487.
Australia made a bright start to their reply, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden putting on 48 for the first wicket at a rate of four runs an over.
Langer looked to be in good touch until he fell for 23, dragging a ball from James Franklin back on to his stumps.
Hayden then went for 35, caught by Astle at second slip to give debutant Iain O'Brien his first test scalp.
Damien Martyn was unluckily given out leg before wicket to left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori for 32 after he got a thick inside edge, leaving Ponting to continue the recovery on Saturday.
Ponting has been in excellent form this year, scoring a double-century in his last test against Pakistan in Sydney and carrying on his golden run in the one-day series in New Zealand.
