Martin's century puts Aussies on track against Kiwis

Damien Martyn scored his 12th Test century as he went on a batting rampage with Adam Gilchrist to put Australia at a strong 337 for five at stumps on the second day of the second cricket Test against New Zealand here on Saturday. In an unbroken 90-run partnership from 89 balls they wrested the initiative off New Zealand and plundered the second new-ball attack as Australia piled on 166 runs in the final session.
Sent in by Stephen Fleming, Australia faced a torrid first hour of prodigious swing, particularly from Chris Martin in the blustery conditions, but the New Zealand pacemen were not able to take advantage of the conditions.
Instead it took the introduction of spinner Daniel Vettori after 15 overs to bring some luck New Zealand's way when he lured Justin Langer into an attempted sweep shot and the ball ballooned off his gloves to the safe hands of Brendon McCullum.
Langer had been dropped by Fleming off Martin before getting off the mark and had two other nicks off Martin fall just short of the slips cordon, and rode his luck to reach 46 before giving Vettori his 50th Test wicket against Australia.
He struck again in the third over after lunch with the removal of Ricky Ponting for nine.
The Australian captain was struck on the front pad and gave umpire David Shepherd an elementary lbw decision.
A patient Matthew Hayden brought up his half century in 130 balls and moved to 61 before playing an uncharacteristic shot to James Franklin and was caught in covers by Lou Vincent to have Australia at 146 for three.
Michael Clarke followed soon after when the simplest of edges from Nathan Astle went straight to Fleming in slips.
Simon Katich was the last wicket to fall for the day when trying to pick up the pace with Damien Martin he succeeded only in edging Franklin straight to wicketkeeper McCullum and was gone for 35.
Fleming had no hesitation in bowling first, attempting to take advantage of a pitch that spent two days under cover and bringing in a third pace bowler in Iain O'Brien ahead of spinner Paul Wiseman.
But while it was an atmosphere made for pace it was Vettori's controlled spin that proved New Zealand's most effective weapon and he ended the day with two for 74 off 29 overs.
Left-arm paceman James Franklin struggled into the wind with his opening spell but came back to finish with two for 94 off 23 overs.
SCOREBOARD

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AUSTRALIA (1st innings):

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J. Langer c McCullum b Vettori      46

M. Hayden c Vincent b Franklin      61

R. Ponting lbw v Vettori             9

D. Martyn not out                  106

M. Clarke c Fleming b Astle          8

S. Katich c McCullum b Franklin     35

A. Gilchrist not out                45

EXTRAS: (B-4, LB-8, W-2, NB-13)     27

TOTAL: (for 5 wkts)                337

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