Associated Press

Christchurch, March 10:

Hamish Marshall scored a maiden century in only his third Test as New Zealand made 265-3 to get off to a strong start on the first day of the first cricket Test against Australia. Marshall ended the day 103 not out, leading New Zealand’s scoring and bearing the weight of their innings after Australia won the toss and sent them in to bat. The mop-haired right-hander cut Jason Gillespie for a boundary seven minutes before stumps to complete his hundred. He reached the mark in 4 hours, 15 minutes, from 195 balls and he smattered his innings with 14 fours and a six off Shane Warne. Marshall, playing his first Test at home, enlarged on the foundation given New Zealand by Craig Cumming who made 74 in his debut Test. The inexperienced pair put on 97 for New Zealand’s second wicket to take the advantage of bat over ball and defy Ricky Ponting’s unusual decision to bowl first.