AUSSIES CLOSING IN ON LEAD

Chasing the Black Caps' 270, the hosts put themselves in a strong position by stumps with Mike Hussey 69 not out and Michael Clarke unbeaten on 43.

Daniel Vettori bowled tirelessly over the final two sessions and finished with figures of one for 54 off 28 overs while Iain O'Brien took the important wicket of Ricky Ponting only minutes after the tea break and has one for 63.

Hussey and Clarke controlled the final session with some patient but stylish batting and have put on 86 for the fourth wicket.

Clarke strode to the crease and got off the mark with a textbook straight drive. Hussey also played some memorable strokes with his sweeping and pull shots a feature.

It followed the critical 106-run stand between Ponting and Hussey which was the highlight of the second session.

The Australia skipper made batting look easy and smashed an amazing 11 boundaries by the time he reached his half-century.