All-rounder Cameron Green took the attack to New Zealand with a brisk unbeaten century after the hosts' seamers threatened to take control of the match on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Wellington on Thursday.
Despite losing partners at the other end, Green notched up his second Test ton on the penultimate ball of the day, smashing rookie seamer Will O'Rourke for a four as Australia went to stumps at 279 for nine at the Basin Reserve.
The 24-year-old remained unbeaten on 103, with tailender Josh Hazlewood yet to open his account.
"It obviously feels pretty good ... It was a pretty tough wicket out there," said Green. "I thought the boys played pretty well. It was nice to kind of stick out there and hopefully put a semi-competitive total on the board."
Green's century and a 132-run final session helped Australia edge ahead on a pulsating day one, having been asked to bat on a green-top pitch after home captain Tim Southee won the toss.
Matt Henry bagged four wickets, while Scott Kuggeleijn took two victims, with selectors preferring pace rather than the spin all-rounder Mitch Santner.
New Zealand's bowlers were able to swing the ball but were sometimes wayward and conceded runs, racking up 30 runs in extras for the day.
They didn’t get many wickets in the morning session as openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja stayed solid until the verge of lunch.
Henry eventually provided the breakthrough by having Smith caught behind for 31, ending a 61-run stand.
After the break, New Zealand's quicks brushed aside Australia's top order in a sensational hour.
Facing tight line-and-length bowling, the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne could only muster one run from 27 balls, getting caught off Kuggeleijn at first slip.
Khawaja’s stumps were also shattered after scoring 33 by a superb delivery from Henry, while Travis Head, coming off a pair of ducks in his last Test, was caught behind for one off the bowling of O'Rourke.
However, Green built a 67-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh, who came out all guns blazing in a 39-ball 40 before he was dismissed by Henry.
Australia were reduced to 176 for six soon after tea, when wicketkeeper Alex Carey was sent packing for 10.
Green stiched valuable partnerships with tailenders Mitchell Starc (9) and Pat Cummins (16) and entered the nineties with Nathan Lyon. He smashed two fours off O'Rourke to reach 99, then a third to land three figures in style.
