Cricket: Clarke bounces back to score test century

Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke celebrates scoring a century. Photo / Getty Images

Australia's vice-captain Michael Clarke put a horror fortnight behind him, scoring his 14th test century to wrest control of the first cricket test away from New Zealand here today.

Clarke, who returned to Wellington on Monday under the media glare after ending his high-profile relationship with model Lara Bingle, hit an unbeaten 100 as Australia reached 316 for four at a sun-drenched Basin Reserve.

A jubilant Clarke, who received a standing ovation, and Marcus North (52 not out) added an unbroken 140 for the fifth wicket after New Zealand were on top early in the final session.

Clarke reached 50 off 102 balls then raced to three figures off 141 balls in the day's final over. In all he stroked hit 10 fours and two sixes.

Tall right-armer Brent Arnel was New Zealand's standout on his test debut, striking in his first over as he removed both openers Phil Hughes, 20, and Simon Katich, 79, on the way to two for 70.

But it was Australia's day as they piled on 153 for one in the final session.

The tourists suffered an early setback when key allrounder Shane Watson was ruled out with a hip injury, courtesy of a Shane Bond thunderbolt in the fourth one-dayer in Auckland.

It gave young Hughes his chance and raced into stride with four quick boundaries before Arnel got his big moment.

With his fifth delivery, in just the sixth over, the 31-year-old gave Hughes some width and he edged to Ross Taylor at first slip.

But it was New Zealand's only joy of the first session and a long afternoon looked in store at 104 for one with captain Ricky Ponting well set on 41 after winning his sixth consecutive toss of the tour.

The tide turned when Katich pushed and ran, and BJ Watling pounced at cover with an underarm direct hit to leave the disbelieving skipper well short at the striker's end.

Watling got involved again when paceman Chris Martin enticed Michael Hussey, on four, to drive an outswinger and the low chance was held at third slip.

The run rate slowed to below three an over as New Zealand bowled impressively via Arnel, Martin and Daryl Tuffey to restrict the tourists to 70 for two off 28 overs in the middle session.

Katich reached his 21st test half-century then had lives on 68 and 70 when gloveman Brendon McCullum and Tuffey missed tough chances, but it didn't cost them as Arnel returned to make the key breakthrough.

Bowling around the wicket, Arnel rapped the shuffling left-hander below the knee roll and English umpire Ian Gould was convinced. Replays showed it hitting leg stump, ending a vigil of 261 minutes and 191 deliveries.

At 176 for four New Zealand's tails were up, especially with Clarke scratching his way to nine in 77 minutes before the tea break.

- NZPA