Cricket: Ton of class from Oram as NZ keep hopes alive

8.45pm - By CHRIS BARCLAY

Century-maker Jacob Oram respected, frustrated and then bludgeoned an all-conquering bowling attack before his own "popgun" bowling sent tremors through Australia's top order in the first cricket test today.

New Zealand clawed back into this Trans-Tasman Trophy clash on the second day at the Gabba, finishing with 353. In reply Australia were 197 for four at stumps.

New Zealand dominated the majority of day two, much to the chagrin of a muted crowd whose spirits were only lifted by a quickfire unbroken stand of 69 between Damien Martyn and wonderkid Michael Clarke.

The pair propelled the home side to 197 when the batsmen took an offer of bad light because shadows were over the pitch three overs before the scheduled close.

Martyn (59) and Clarke (31) are engaged in an ominous stand which has put Australia back on track after the loss of three quick wickets for 43 after tea.

They and Adam Gilchrist are tasked with reeling in the tourists respectable first innings of 353 -- a figure which appeared almost mythical after the New Zealand lurched to 138 for five yesterday.

Oram, 63 overnight, faced a tall order when he and Daniel Vettori resumed the New Zealand first innings at 250 for seven today. But the 1.98m tall allrounder's 16-test career reached new heights after his unbeaten 126 navigated the Black Caps back from the brink at 138 for five.

The 26-year-old, playing his first test against the world champions, produced a barrage of Chris Cairns-like ferocity once he held his nerve through the 90s, with only tailender Chris Martin for company with eight runs required.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting ringed the boundaries and Shane Warne adopted a cynical legside line -- prompting umpire Aleem Dar to wide him twice -- in an attempt to induce Oram to hole out.

However, it all came to nought as Oram -- whose nuisance value was confirmed on 81 when Warne fired in a 106kph bouncer -- was content to calmly push singles and twos to reach his milestone in 166 balls.

Oram immediately celebrated his by hoisting Jason Gillespie's next delivery over midwicket for a six, the catalyst for a final onslaught that saw him pummel 26 off 12.

Michael Kasprowicz -- Australia's most successful bowler -- was also singled out for treatment as Oram sabotaged the challenge posed by Ponting's defensive field placements by thumping successive balls into the stands, safely out of reach.

Hammer down, Oram breezed past his previous highest score -- an unbeaten 119 against South Africa at Hamilton in March -- and such was his dominance Martin did not contribute a run to their 36-runs stand for the 10th wicket.

It was the last of three precious partnerships Oram, who struck 12 boundaries and three sixes, figured in.

His union with Vettori (21) realised 58 -- a New Zealand record against Australia at the Gabba -- and then Kyle Mills belied his lowly place as a No 10 by contributing an assured 29 to a ninth-wicket partnership of 53.

Mills, a late replacement for the injured James Franklin, displayed a degree of composure some top order teammates lacked yesterday.

He showcased a full range of shots, arguably none better than a straight six off Warne to raise 300.

Buoyed by the addition today of an extra 103 runs to defend, the inexperienced New Zealand pace attack unleashed an impressive new ball spell that deserved a better return than Australia's status of 84 for one at tea.

Mills, in his second test, made the early breakthrough when Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar gave a generous leg before decision against Hayden (8), who probably felt the ball was passing over his stumps.

Opening partner Langer and a rusty Ponting, who batted just twice in the Indian series, survived some anxious moments as Mills and Martin regularly beat the outside edge.

Langer survived a confident caught behind appeal off Oram when on 26 but departed two balls after tea for 34 when a Vettori turner landed on a crack and spun wickedly onto the West Australian's pads.

Ponting had a scare on three when he was caught on the half-volley by a static Vettori at mid-off, and celebrated by taking successive boundaries off the unlucky Mills.

The let-off appeared costly as Ponting looked ominous reaching his 24th test half century but a ball later he swiped Martin square where Nathan Astle took a sharp diving catch.

Darren Lehmann, a contentious selection ahead of Simon Katich, became Vettori's second victim when he was gloved by Brendon McCullum for eight.

Oram dedicated his "special day" to his late grandfather Philip Douche, who died of cancer recently.

"He's supported me in everything I did and was probably my heaviest critic. I know he was proud of what I achieved," Oram said.

"He told the doctors two years ago he wanted to see my first test and he managed to see that at the Basin Reserve (against India) in 2002.

"He lost his battle a couple of months ago," said Oram, who had parents Mark and Denise watching from the stands.

Oram admitted he was more than a tad nervous when Kyle Mills departed and he still needed eight runs.

"I was a little bit more nervous when I saw Chris (Martin) walking out but Chris knows how to hold a bat.

"He has the uncanny ability to keep the good balls out and play and miss at the ones that are a bit wider.

"The bowlers always think they have a chance and they probably do but he did his job, he knows his role with the bat and he did it very well."


New Zealand

First innings (overnight 250-7)

M Richardson c Ponting b Kasprowicz 19

M Sinclair c Ponting b Gillespie 69

S Fleming c Warne b Kasprowicz 0

S Styris c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz 27

N Astle run out (Hayden/Clarke) 19

C McMillan c Gilchrist b Warne 23

J Oram not out 126

B McCullum std Gilchrist b Warne 10

D Vettori c Warne b Kasprowicz 21

K Mills c Hayden b Warne 29

C Martin c Ponting b Warne 0

Extras (1b, 2lb, 3w, 4nb) 10

Total (all out, 117.3 overs) 353

Fall: 26 (Richardson), 26 (Fleming), 77 (Styris), 138 (Astle), 138 (Sinclair), 180 (McMillan), 206 (McCullum), 264 (Vettori), 317 (Mills), 353 (Martin).

Bowling: G McGrath 27-4-67-0 (2nb), J Gillespie 29-7-84-1, M Kasprowicz 28-5-90-4 (2nb), S Warne 29.3-3-97-4 (3w), D Lehmann 4-0-12-0.

Australia

first innings

J Langer lbw b Vettori 34

M Hayden lbw b Mills 8

R Ponting c Astle b Martin 51

D Martyn not out 59

D Lehmann c McCullum b Vettori 8

M Clarke not out 31

Extras (1lb, 5nb) 6

Total (for 4 wkts, 57 overs) 197

Fall of wkts: 16 (Hayden) 85 (langer), 109 (Ponting), 128 (Martyn).

Bowling: Martin 13-5-44-1 (2nb), Mills 12-6-33-1, Oram 10-1-43-0 (3nb), Styris 5-1-27-0, Vettori 17-4-49-2

Bad light ended play with 3 overs left

- NZPA