Despite a fightback with an 80-run partnership at stumps, Australia will look to restrict New Zealand to an attainable first-innings score on a good Gabba wicket after a good showing from Australia's freshest new bowlers.
Peter Siddle broke New Zealand's opening partnership of 44 runs, before the Test debutants took centre stage with Mitchell Starc grabbing two wickets with some good left-arm swing, James Pattinson getting one, and Twenty20 star David Warner taking two catches.
Martin Guptil land Brendan McCullum were looking to be in good touch in a first session characterised by hard hits, with a change of ball in the tenth over forced by the big hitting of McCullum and a few brutal bouncers to McCullum from Starc.
Siddle was brought on with immediate success, removing Guptill with an outside edge, while McCullum was proving to be the more difficult opponent to crack until hit an around-the-wicket Starc straight to Warner at point, taking New Zealand's score to 2/56.
Kane Williamson added 19 runs before being removed by Nathan Lyon with his first Test wicket in Australia, the highlight of a good overall performance by him, bowling 1/31 off 10 overs. His work was arguably the most promising aspect of the day for Australia, as Lyon is looking more and more like Australia's answer to its prayers for a reliable spin bowler.
Following Williamson's dismissal, Black Caps skipper Ross Taylor followed after contributing 14 runs. Mitchell Starc had been swinging the ball well when a full ball ricocheted off his attempted square drive onto the stumps.
Australia took it to 5/96 when Jesse Ryder produced a bad shot off Starc straight to point, and it looked like New Zealand were heading for capitulation. The last wicket could have been followed up by another soon after as Michael Clarke and David Warner both dropping catches off Brownlie in the space of three balls before the 80-run stand, possibly New Zealand's last realistic chance of posting a decent first-innings total.
Joshua Mathew is studying his Bachelor of Theology and volunteers in the senior high youth ministry of Hillsong Church.
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