A double strike by paceman Iain O'Brien and a first test wicket for Jesse Ryder gave the BLACKCAPS a stranglehold on the first cricket test against Australia at the Gabba.
Ryder had wicketkeeper Brad Haddin caught by Jamie How at second slip with his fourth delivery to reduce Australia to 152 for seven at the tea break on the first day.
Vice-captain Michael Clarke was the only Australian batsman to apply himself in the difficult, seaming conditions and was 60 not out at the interval.
Clarke and Michael Hussey looked to have lifted Australia to safety with a 73-run stand for the fourth wicket after young paceman Tim Southee reduced them to 23 for three in the morning session.
But when Chris Martin trapped Hussey leg before wicket, not offering a shot, for 35, it signalled a mini-collapse of four for 56.
O'Brien then continued his impressive year for the BLACKCAPS when he removed recalled allrounder Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson in the space of four overs.
Symonds had survived a let-off from Aaron Redmond who dropped him at mid-wicket on 18, the batsmen ran four, then gloveman Brendon McCullum's throw at the stumps went for fo ur overthrows.
Next ball, O'Brien seamed a delivery away and Symonds was caught behind for 26 by a jubilant McCullum.
Watson, selected ahead of spinner Jason Krejza, only faced eight deliveries before he waved the bat and O'Brien and McCullum pouched his third catch of the day.
A masterstroke by captain Daniel Vettori earned their next wicket when part-timer Ryder was thrown the ball and he enticed a false drive from Haddin.
It left Clarke as Australia's big hope after 217 minutes and 150 deliveries at the crease.
O'Brien had two for 39 off 16 overs while Southee went wicketless in the middle session and ended with three for 55 off 14.
NZPA
