SYDNEY, Nov 12: New South Wales staged a lower-order fight back against New Zealand's seam attack to take a first-innings lead in the four-day tour match on Friday. Resuming on 26 for one in reply to the touring side's 213, the hosts reached 278 for eight at the close of play on the second day at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Dominic Thornely made 59 and Jason Krejza a handy 54 down the order as the home side recovered from 172 for six. Fast bowler Brett Lee was unbeaten on 28 and fellow tail-ender Matthew Nicholson made 23.

Young pace duo Ian Butler and James Franklin took three wickets each for the Kiwis. Lee and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill claimed seven wickets between them for New South Wales as New Zealand opener Mathew Sinclair played a lone hand with a knock of 88.

The Kiwis are resting their captain Stephen Fleming, who remains in New Zealand with a mysterious viral infection. Batsman Nathan Astle, who has a back complaint, and spinner Daniel Vettori, who has shoulder soreness, are also missing the game.

Fleming will fly to Sydney on Saturday to join up with the squad, New Zealand said in a statement. Australia host New Zealand in a two-test series this month, with matches in Brisbane from Nov 18-22 and Adelaide from Nov 26-30.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings) 213 (Mathew Sinclair 88; Stuart MacGill 4-57)

New South Wales (1st innings) (26 for 1 overnight)

G.Mail c Styris b Wiseman 43

P.Jaques c Hopkins b Franklin 8

M.Phelps b Butler 17

D.Thornely c Sinclair b Franklin 59

A.O'Brien c Hopkins b Butler 21

B.Haddin b Wiseman 14

J.Krejza c Styris b Franklin 54

M.Nicholson b Butler 23

B.Lee not out 28

S.Clark not out 0

Extras (b-2 lb-3 w-1 nb-5) 11

Total (for eight wkts, 105 overs) 278

Fall of wkts: 1-8 2-42 3-112 4-142 5-156 6-172 7-229 8-272

To bat: S.MacGill

Bowling (to date): Martin 20-7-40-0, Franklin 22-7-70-3 (nb-2, w-1), Oram 19-9-33-0 (nb-1), Butler 14-1-47-3 (nb-1), Wiseman 22-4-76-2 (nb-1), Styris 4-1-5-0, McMillan 4-3-2-0. -Reuters