WELLINGTON: Australia built on a powerful batting display by tearing through New Zealand’s openers to take charge after the second day of the first Test today.

After making 100 on Friday, Michael Clarke (168) continued his fine form to build a record 253-run, fifth-wicket stand with Marcus North (112 not out). Ricky Ponting declared on 459-5 midway through the middle session. New Zealand fell to 43-4 before captain Daniel Vettori (42) restored hope for the home side who were 108-4 at stumps.

Having dominated the first four sessions thanks to Clarke, North, Simon Katich (79) and Ponting (41), it was the turn of the Australian bowlers to turn the screw after lunch. Doug Bollinger (2-21) trapped opener BJ Watling (naught) leg before wicket with his fifth ball and Mitchell Johnson ran out Peter Ingram (five).

By tea New Zealand had limped to 20-2 with Ross Taylor (four) and Tim McIntosh (seven) unbeaten on crease. Then early in the final session, Ryan Harris (1-23) bagged his maiden Test wicket when McIntosh pushed a thick edge to Michael Hussey before Taylor was caught by North off the first ball of Bollinger’s new spell.

It left Vettori to once again perform a rescue mission with his side in a perilous position at 43-4. Vettori and Martin Guptill (19 not out) mustered a fight back, putting on 65 runs to leave the home side trailing by 351 runs.

Dhaka Test

Dhaka: Tamim Iqbal struck an explosive 85 as Bangladesh posted 330-8 on the opening day of the second and final Test against England today.

The left-handed opener, who turned 21, put the England attack to the sword in a magnificent display of strokeplay, smashing one six and

13 fours in his 71-ball knock. He completed

his half-century off 34 balls. Mohammad Mahmudullah (59), skipper Shakib Al Hasan (49), Junaid Siddique (39) and Mushfiqur Rahim (30) fell when looking well-set. Naeem Islam was unbeaten on 33 at the close.