Cricket: McGrath half century helps Australia to big lead

8.40pm - By CHRIS BARCLAY

BRISBANE - Michael Clarke added a new chapter to his test cricket fairytale and Glenn McGrath produced a batting cameo as New Zealand crumbled on the third day of the first test here at the Gabba today.

New Zealand face the challenging task of batting the best part of two days to save the test after Australia slugged them into submission.

A galling, unbroken 10th wicket stand of 93 between Jason Gillespie and McGrath twisted the knife after centurions Clarke and Adam Gilchrist pummelled New Zealand with a rapid fire partnership of 216.

New Zealand struck back in late in the middle session to remove Clarke him for 141 and Gilchrist for 126 but at stumps they were staring down the barrel.

Australia were on 564 for nine, a lead of 211, and they may bat on tomorrow with McGrath undefeated on 52 and Gillespie seven short of also scoring his maiden test half century.

New Zealand may have expected a quick kill when Michael Kasprowicz was caught in the deep to leave Australia 471 for nine shortly after tea but McGrath and Gillespie had other ideas as they tormented the tourists.

McGrath was dropped by Mark Richardson on 11 and, bizarrely, it turned out to be a costly miss.

The 102-test veteran went on to record his highest test score and will dine out on a six smacked over mid wicket off Daniel Vettori long after his career ends.

The demise of Damien Martyn for 70 was the only high point for New Zealand of the opening session as the Australian middle order proceeded to run amok after resuming today on 197 for four.

Clarke and Gilchrist piled on the pain with a record sixth wicket stand against the tourists -- erasing the 197 Allan Border and Greg Matthews scored in 1985 when New Zealand won their first test on Australia soil at the Gabba.

They both seemed set to prolong the agony before Vettori and Chris Martin combined to remove the two dangermen within 13 runs.

Vettori skittled an advancing Clarke and Scott Styris held a fine running catch at mid wicket to end Gilchrist's stay.

Clarke had been unruffled progressing from his overnight 31 and Martyn also looked century-bound as the pair picked off boundaries at will.

Clarke scored 68 of his 100 by way of boundaries and Martyn was attempting his ninth when he directed a Martin short ball down Craig McMillan's throat just inside the rope at deep third man when the score was 222.

Joy at the breakthrough was tempered immediately as Gilchrist joined Clarke to pummel the New Zealand attack to all points of the oval.

Almost inevitably vice-captain Gilchrist brought up his 12th century off just 130 balls, an imperious knock studded with 10 fours and three sixes.

A three to Gilchrist overhauled New Zealand's creditable first innings of 353 30 minutes after lunch as light rain swept in.

Unfortunately for New Zealand the heavens never truly opened and Australia, who took a curious bad light decision last night when shadows enveloped the pitch, were happy to stay put and continue their run deluge on a friendly batting surface.

Clarke's impeccable timing was a trademark of his classy hundred. He reached the milestone off 148 balls by hooking Martin for four on the last ball of the morning session. All up he struck 21 fours and a six.

Clarke, 23, was chanceless in reaching three figures but then offered a glimmer of hope.

On 101 he pushed an uppish drive to mid off but Vettori was static and took the ball on the second bounce.

Then on 128 he clubbed Jacob Oram aerially down the pitch but the allrounder could not bend his 1.98m frame quick enough to take a low return catch.

No New Zealand bowler escaped the carnage although Vettori and Martin admirably stuck to their task, each taking four wickets for 154 and 141 runs respectively.

Scoreboard at stumps on the third day:

New Zealand

First innings 353

Australia

First innings (overnight 197-4)

J Langer lbw b Vettori 34

M Hayden lbw b Mills 8

R Ponting c Astle b Martin 51

D Martyn c McMillan b Martin 70

D Lehmann c McCullum b Vettori 8

M Clarke b Vettori 141

A Gilchrist c Styris b Martin 126

S Warne lbw b Vettori 10

J Gillespie not out 43

M Kasprowicz c Mills b Martin 5

G McGrath not out 54

Extras (1b, 5lb, 1w, 7nb) 14

Total (for 9 wkts, 147 overs) 564


Fall: 16 (Hayden), 85 (Langer), 109 (Ponting), 128 (Lehmann), 222(Martyn), 438 (Clarke), 450 (Gilchrist), 464 (Warne), 471 (Kasprowicz).

Bowling: C Martin 36-7-141-4 (3nb), K Mills 26-8-99-1, S Styris 8-1-33-0, J Oram 22-2-108-0 (1w, 4nb), D Vettori 50-9-154-4, C McMillan 5-1-23-0.

- NZPA