Cricket: Early wickets have NZ in trouble

New Zealand lost two early wickets, including an awful run out of Peter Ingram, as Australia took a stranglehold on the first cricket test in Wellington today.

The hosts slumped to 20 for two at tea on the second day at the Basin Reserve in reply to Australia's first innings of 459 for five declared.

New Zealand's top order woes continued, with opener BJ Watling dismissed first ball, leg before wicket to Australian paceman Doug Bollinger, whose fast, full inswinger was too good.

Tim McIntosh and Ingram made slow progress but looked to have safely guided their side to tea before a moment of madness from McIntosh and some brilliance from Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson.

McIntosh pushed and ran, Johnson followed through and kicked the ball with his right foot from an acute angle on to the stumps, leaving Ingram, on five, well short of his ground.

McIntosh was on seven at the break with vice-captain Ross Taylor on four.

Earlier, Marcus North reached his fourth test century as Australia declared their first innings at 459 for five off 131 overs.

Captain Ricky Ponting closed the innings 50 minutes into the second session, with North unbeaten on 112 and Brad Haddin on 11.

Playing just his 14th test, North batted exactly five hours, faced 208 balls and hit 11 fours and two sixes.

The only Australian wicket to fall today was that of Michael Clarke for 168, stumped down the leg side by Brendon McCullum off captain Daniel Vettori's bowling.

Clarke batted 364 minutes and faced 253 balls, hitting 22 fours and two sixes.

Clarke and North put on 253, an Australian fifth wicket partnership record against New Zealand, beating the previous mark of 213 set by Greg Matthews and Greg Ritchie in the 1985-86 season.

Debutant Brent Arnel was the most successful New Zealand bowler with two for 89 off 26 overs while Vettori took one for 111 off 33 and paceman Chris Martin one for 115 off 30.