Black Caps build lead over Aussies

New Zealand found themselves in an unexpectedly strong position at stumps on day two of the second Test in Hobart, finishing on 139 for three to hold a 153-run lead over Australia.

The Kiwis posted just 150 in their first innings, but dismissed Australia for only 136 midway through the second session to take a 14-run lead into their second innings on a pitch that became more conducive to run-scoring as the day progressed.

The gremlins that saw 20 wickets fall during the first five sessions of the match seemed to diminish as the afternoon wore on, runs coming more freely in a sign that the best batting conditions were yet to come.

After Jesse Ryder (12) was expertly stumped by Brad Haddin from the part-time seam bowling of Mike Hussey to reduce New Zealand to 73 for three, Black Caps skipper Ross Taylor (42) and youngster Kane Williamson (34) settled in and took advantage of a quickening outfield with a number of well-struck boundaries in their unbroken 66-run partnership.

The visitors' innings had opened cautiously prior to tea, Brendon McCullum (12) and Martin Guptill (16) pushing the Kiwis out to a 50-run lead before being seen off by James Pattinson and Peter Siddle in consecutive overs.

Earlier in the day, Australian wickets fell with alarming regularity and only four batsmen managed to post double-figure totals.

Siddle (36) was most impressive and looked largely untroubled as he and Pattinson (17) combined for an hour in a key partnership after lunch. Siddle was eventually out edging a Doug Bracewell delivery to Guptill, who took a sharp chance at second slip.

Bracewell, Chris Martin and Trent Boult all picked up three wickets and revelled in the bowler-friendly conditions. Seamer Martin (three for 46) celebrated his 37th birthday with the wickets of Dave Warner and Usman Khawaja during a morning session that reaped six wickets for a rampant Black Caps attack.

All-rounder Bracewell (three for 20) was the other multiple wicket-taker before lunch, having Haddin (five) caught at mid-off and skittling Clarke (22) with a pinpoint delivery that cannoned into the top of off stump.

Left-arm seamer Boult, meanwhile, finished with impressive figures of three for 29 on his Test debut.