Player ratings: Black Caps v Australia - 1st test

Jesse Ryder leaves the field after being dismissed on day one. Photo / Getty Images

How the Black Caps rated in their nine wicket first test loss to Australia at the Gabba.

Brendon McCullum - 4/10
Streaky innings to open the test which set the trend for the rest of the top order who weren't willing to spend time at the crease and build an innings. Dismissal at the end of day three capped off a poor day for the side.

Martin Guptill - 3/10
Failed with the bat on both occasions however proved he is the best fielder in the team with two handy catches to dismiss Phil Hughes.

Kane Williamson - 3/10
Looked out of his depth when facing Nathan Lyon in the first innings and fell to the pressure around the bat. Poor shot selection again in the second innings. Seemed the occasion got to him.

Ross Taylor - 2/10
His first duck in his test career capped off a forgettable match where he failed to lead from the front after throwing away his wicket just before lunch on day one. His dropped catch of Mitchell Starc seemed harmless at the time but Australia went on add another 54 runs to their lead.

Jesse Ryder - 4/10
His aggressive knock in the second innings may have saved the Black Caps the embarrassment of being dismissed for less than 50 but he needed to bat for time not boundaries and in the end threw away his wicket. Dropped Michael Clarke on 105.

Dean Brownlie - 8/10
The only batsman in the top six who was in test cricket mode. Looked solid in defence and waited for the bad ball to put away. Deserved a maiden test century but ran out of partners. Spent 375 minutes at the crease, eight minutes more than the top five combined!

Daniel Vettori - 7/10
The former skipper once again led from the front to get the Black Caps out of a hole. A rush of blood to the head denied him his first ton against Australia. Was the side's best bowler as Australia played him with the respect he deserves.

Reece Young - 3/10
Dropped a straight-forward catch when Clarke was on 85. Showed guts to head back onto the field with 12 stitches in his face. Started to grow in confidence with the bat in the second innings after a poor showing on day one, however it was too little too late.

Doug Bracewell - 4/10
Patchy performance and needs to find more consistency to perform at test level. Was unlucky to have three dropped catches off his bowling, two off Clarke, but also shot himself in the foot by delivering a no-ball when Clarke played on at just 23. He went on to score a further 123 runs. What might have been.

Tim Southee - 3/10
Got the first wicket of Australia's first innings and the last - but not much else in between. Didn't offer much when the ball wasn't swinging and looked lethargic on day three. Not picked for his batting but could have helped the cause a bit more by playing for time and giving Brownlie a chance at a maiden ton.

Chris Martin - 6/10
With a career bowling average of 73 against Australia, a worrying stat for the side's supposed strike bowler, you know he's never going to exactly trouble them. Does seem to have Phil Hughes' number though which may have cost the Aussie opener a spot in the next test. Positive - Picked up the big names of Ponting and Clarke. Negative - They already had 217 runs on the board.

- HERALD ONLINE