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New Zealand in trouble

Australia, stung after being dismissed for 214 in their first innings, roared back to claim four New Zealand wickets late on the opening day of the first cricket Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

The Kiwis' joy at dismissing Australia off just 71 overs was soon wiped away as Steve Waugh's men applied the blowtorch to have the home side staggering at 26 for four in reply at the close.

Express bowler Brett Lee claimed two wickets off his two overs, including bowling nightwatchman Paul Wiseman with the last ball of the day to swing the pendulum back to Australia on an intriguing opening day's play.

Up until the final hour it had been New Zealand's day as Australia, seeking a record-equalling eighth consecutive Test victory, were made to struggle for runs on a turning pitch.

Australia were also mindful that they had lost their last three Tests to New Zealand at Eden Park and had not won here since 1977.

Spinners Daniel Vettori and Wiseman shared eight wickets between them as only Mark Waugh and Justin Langer defied the New Zealand bowling to post scores. Vettori finished with 5-62 off 25 overs and Wiseman 3-49 off 14 overs as the Australians made heavy weather of scoring.

Mark Waugh remained unbeaten on 72 while No.3 Langer was more the dasher than usual, clubbing 46 runs off 47 balls with eight boundaries and a six. But Australia finished the day sensationally losing Matthew Horne (3), Mathew Sinclair 8, Craig Spearman (12) and Wiseman (1) to a determined attack. Skipper Stephen Fleming had yet to score.

Glenn McGrath snared Horne's wicket with a catch by Greg Blewett in the gully, while the nervous Sinclair offered no shot and was trapped lbw by a Shane Warne topspinner. It was Warne's 352nd Test wicket and just four away from overtaking fast bowling great Dennis Lillee and becoming Australia's all-time leading Test wicket taker.

Spearman was caught magnificently one-handed by a diving Damien Martyn at third slip off Lee's second ball and the New South Wales tearaway saved his best until last skittling Wiseman's stumps with a yorker.

Australia looked to be cruising after losing Michael Slater early for five and Blewett and Langer put on 67 runs for the second wicket before Langer was coaxed down the pitch by Vettori and was stumped by Adam Parore leaving the tourists at 77 for two.

From there Australia struggled to string together meaningful partnerships and only Mark Waugh batted against the trend in a more circumspect role than usual.

Australia went to lunch at 97 for three, but lost four wickets in the middle session for the addition of 92 runs.

Captain Steve Waugh, who won the toss, was brilliantly caught by Spearman at slip diving to his right to take a one-handed chance off Vettori. Waugh scored 17 and left Australia 114 for four.

Damien Martyn, coming into the Test side as a replacement for sidelined Ricky Ponting, was deceived by Vettori and chipped an easy catch to Nathan Astle at short cover for 17.

Australia slumped to 161 for six when Adam Gilchrist's umcomfortable spell at the wicket ended for seven when he was lbw attempting to sweep Wiseman.

Shane Warne had a couple of lusty hits before he edged to Stephen Fleming close in for seven off Vettori.

After tea Brett Lee (6) and Colin Miller (0) went cheaply but No.11 Glenn McGrath added 21 runs for the last wicket with McGrath scoring eight.