Aussies wobble at the Gabba

Four wickets for Southee as Black Caps start well in Brisbane

Last updated: 21st November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Aussies wobble at the Gabba

Southee: Four wickets

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First Test Match
Brisbane - Day One
Australia 214 (M J Clarke 98, T G Southee 4-63) v New Zealand 7-0

Australia's struggles continued in Brisbane as they were bowled out for 214 by New Zealand on the first day of the first Test at the Gabba.

Michael Clarke's 98 was the highlight of the Australian innings, as Tim Southee took four wickets to put the Black Caps in the driving seat after the opening day.

Looking to bounce back after their defeat in India, Australia endured a shocking start after being put in by New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori.

Young seamer Southee ripped through the top three batsmen, removing Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich and beleaguered skipper Ricky Ponting, to leave the hosts floundering on 23-3.

Beauty

Clarke and Mike Hussey added a welcome 73 for the fourth wicket, before Chris Martin trapped Hussey lbw for 35 to grab his only scalp of the innings.

The returning Andrew Symonds made an eventful 26 before he nicked a beauty from Iain O'Brien to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

The duo repeated the trick to dismiss all-rounder Shane Watson for just one, and Jesse Ryder stepped up to take the wicket of Brad Haddin.

At 160-8 the Australians were up against it and only Clarke's skill with the tail managed to get Ponting's side up above the 200-mark.

Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark combined with Clarke for partnerships of 23 and 31 respectively to eventually get the score up to 214.

Ryder grabbed his second wicket to remove last man Clarke, before New Zealand's openers Jamie How and Aaron Redmond safely negotiated the final five overs to leave the tourists on 7-0, and well placed to take advantage of their fine start with the ball.