WELLINGTON, March 20: Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn smashed centuries in a partnership that left Australia in complete control of the second Test with New Zealand on Sunday. Martyn made a career-best 165 while Gilchrist belted 162 to help Australia post a daunting first innings total of 570 for eight declared.
New Zealand crashed to 122 for four in reply at stumps on the third day and facing the likelihood of having to bat for another two days just to save the test.
Glenn McGrath did the early damage with the ball, trapping New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming lbw for a golden duck after he failed to offer a shot, then dismissing the in-form Hamish Marshall for 18, caught by Jason Gillespie at long leg after a mistimed pull shot.
Opener Craig Cumming departed for 37 when he chopped a ball from Michael Kasprowicz on then Nathan Astle gave Shane Warne a simple catch at slip off part-time spinner Michael Clarke.
Recalled batsman Lou Vincent survived the carnage around him to reach the close on 38 with night-watchman James Franklin unbeaten on six.
Ricky Ponting declared Australia痴 innings closed half an hour before tea in the rain-interrupted match after a brutal display of hitting by Gilchrist and Martyn provided them with a total large enough to chase an innings victory.
The first session was delayed because of rain and fog but the two Australians still managed to pile on 90 runs in 14 overs to set the tempo for the day.
Martyn, who started the day on 106, smashed 24 fours in a 287-ball innings that ended when he edged Iain O達rien to Brendon McCullum before tea.
Gilchrist, who has scored centuries in his last three Test innings, was even more aggressive as he racked up his 15th Test hundred and his second highest score.
The left-hander whacked 22 fours and five sixes off just 146 balls before he was caught and bowled by Franklin, who finished with four wickets to be the pick of the Kiwi bowlers.
Shane Warne rubbed salt into the wounds when he smashed 50 off 37 balls to help Australia set their highest score in New Zealand.
Scoreboard
AUSTRALIA (1st Innings, overnight 337-5):
J.L. Langer c McCullum b Vettori 46
M.L. Hayden c Vincent b Franklin 61
R.T. Ponting lbw b Vettori 9
D.R. Martyn c McCullum b O達rien 165
M.J. Clarke c Fleming b Astle 8
S.M. Katich c McCullum b Franklin 35
A.C. Gilchrist c and b Franklin 162
S.K. Warne not out 50
J.N. Gillespie b Franklin 2
M.S. Kasprowicz not out 2
EXTRAS (B-4, LB-8, W-2, NB-16) 30
TOTAL (for eight decl, 140 overs) 570
DID NOT BAT: G.D. McGrath.
FALL OF WKTS: 1-82, 2-100, 3-146, 4-163, 5-247, 6-503, 7-557, 8-559.
BOWLING: Martin 28-6-123-0 (6nb); Franklin 28-4-128-4 (10nb, 2w); O達rien 24-4-97-1; Vettori 47-5-170-2; Astle 13-2-40-1.
NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings):
C.D. Cumming b Kasprowicz 37
S.P. Fleming lbw b McGrath 0
H.J.H. Marshall c Gillespie b McGrath 18
L. Vincent not out 38
N.J. Astle c Warne b Clarke 9
J.E.C. Franklin not out 6
EXTRAS (B-3, LB-7, W-1, NB-3) 14
TOTAL (for four wkts, 39 overs) 122
FALL OF WKTS: 1-9, 2-55, 3-78, 4-108.
TO BAT: C.D. McMillan, B.B. McCullum, D.L. Vettori, I.E. O達rien, C.S. Martin.
