KEY POINTS:
Both sides agree the second cricket test is New Zealand's to lose in the next two days on one of the flattest test pitches ever seen in Australia.
The tourists resume today at the Adelaide Oval on 39 without loss in their second innings, still needing another 226 to make Australia bat again after they racked up 535 in their first innings.
Australia's vice-captain Michael Clarke, who scored 110 for his ninth test century, believed his bowlers would find it tough if New Zealand's batsmen showed some resolve.
"Looking at the wicket, it is going to be tough to bowl New Zealand out," Clarke said.
"It is very flat, there is not too much spin so the next two days are going to be hard for our bowlers."
Clarke had a lengthy duel with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori as the left-arm spinner attacked outside leg stump to try and utilise the bowler's footmarks.
Vettori bowled more than one-third of New Zealand's overs and was into his 60th when the innings ended, the captain taking two for 124 including 20 maidens.
Clarke said he was surprised by the angle of attack but admitted Vettori had a tough job in a young side.
"Dan is a very, very good bowler and I find him very hard to score against. It is hard for him because he is trying to tie guys down as well as get them out.
"There were times when I thought he could have gone around the wicket and attacked us a bit more."
New Zealand paceman Iain O'Brien, who was the next best bowler with three for 111 off 31 overs, said the batsmen backed themselves to defy Australia's pacemen and spinner Nathan Hauritz.
They need to bat through today and into tomorrow to save the test.
"That is the kind of total we should have got first-up so we are a wee way behind now but it is a helluva a deck to bat on," O'Brien said.
"The feeling is good, We have to bat well, and bat for a long time."
- NZPA
