Cricket: Centurion Vettori leads way for NZ

Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori in his 100-test had an impressive return of four wickets for 36. Photo / Getty Images

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Captain Daniel Vettori iced an already memorable day by playing a starring role as New Zealand stormed back into the test cricket series against Australia here today.

Seemingly down and out after Australia's 10-wicket win in Wellington, New Zealand ended the first day of the second and final test 19 for one in reply to the tourists' 231.

BJ Watling and the recalled Mathew Sinclair who negotiated 13 overs before the close will resume tomorrow trying to ram home the advantage after 100-test veteran Vettori, four for 36) and a rejuvenated Tim Southee, four for 61, seized the initiative on a dry pitch already taking some turn.

Opener Tim McIntosh, bowled by Doug Bollinger for four not offering a shot, was the only late blip for the hosts at a sun-drenched Seddon Park.

Australia lost their last seven wickets for 59 in a stunning collapse, after they were a comfortable 172 for three.

It was their lowest innings total in New Zealand since their 214 and 229 in Auckland a decade ago, when they still won despite Vettori's career-best 12-wicket haul.

Southee bounced back from a poor, wicketless match in Wellington to justify Vettori's faith as he relished his home turf, bowling full and with venom in just his ninth test.

But it was Vettori's day, from the moment he received a warm ovation from his home crowd as he proudly led New Zealand out to join Stephen Fleming (111) as a test centurion.

His opposite Ricky Ponting had already drawn first blood by winning his seventh consecutive toss, but Vettori quickly struck back.

After Southee removed the returning Shane Watson for 12 to a false pull shot, Vettori pounced on a risky Ponting single to wide mid-off and the direct hit left him just short on 22.

It was Ponting's second consecutive run out after Watling pounced at the Basin Reserve.

Simon Katich and Michael Hussey, both playing their 50th tests, added 66 before Southee struck again and Hussey, 22, departed to a false drive.

Coming off 168 in Wellington, Clarke tried to dominate returning spinner Jeetan Patel in a breezy 28 but he fell into New Zealand's obvious trap and lofted Patel to Southee at long-on.

Brent Arnel and Chris Martin both chipped in with sharp, but wicketless, spells either side of lunch to keep the heat on.

Katich, 88, batted 236 minutes and faced 171 balls in a typically frustrating knock, but just before tea he turned Vettori straight to Watling at short leg; his fifth score of between 80-99 in his past 12 test innings this season.

It cranked up after tea as the Seddon Park crowd rose to its feet and Vettori and Southee took three for one in seven balls.

Southee had Haddin, 12, caught and bowled, then Marcus North, nine, lbw with the first ball of the next over but Ryan Harris survived the hat-trick delivery.

Vettori polished off the tail, taking three for 21 off 8.3 overs in his post-tea spell.

- NZPA