BRISBANE: New Zealand had steadied their innings at 176-5 at tea after Australia's inexperienced bowlers threatened to skittle them with three quick wickets around lunch on the opening day of the first test on Thursday.
Paceman Mitchell Starc, one of three Australians handed their test debuts, claimed the only wicket to fall in the second session when he had Jesse Ryder caught for six in the first over after the lunch break to reduce the tourists to 96-5.
New Zealand's Dean Brownlie, playing only his second test, was dropped by Australia skipper Michael Clarke and David Warner but survived to reach 32 in an unbeaten partnership of 80 with former captain Daniel Vettori (45).
Tea was taken a few minutes early when the batsmen were offered the light by the umpires as dark clouds gathered over the Gabba.
The Blacks Caps, who had come into the match confident they could end their 26-year wait for a test win in Australia, won the toss and elected to bat, with opener Brendon McCullum taking the game to the hosts in typically aggressive fashion.
The 30-year-old hammered 12 runs off James Pattinson's first over to give the quick a rude welcome to test cricket and drove his side to 44 without loss before his partner Martin Guptill was caught behind off the bowling of Peter Siddle for 13.
Starc struck for the first time on the final ball of his fifth over to remove McCullum for 34, tempting the former wicketkeeper into an attempted cut which left Warner, the third Australian debutant, with an easy catch at point.
Finger spinner Nathan Lyon, playing his first match at the Gabba, got his reward for a fine spell 20 minutes before lunch when Kane Williamson popped the ball to Usman Khawaja for 19.
Pattinson, who gave up 50 runs in his 11 overs, rounded out a good morning for Australia when Taylor swung at a full delivery and edged the ball onto his stumps for 14 just before lunch.
Left-armer Starc benefited from another loose stroke from a New Zealander to dispatch Ryder six balls into the afternoon session with Warner again taking the catch, this time at gully.
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