Simon Katich was unbeaten on a well-made 67 even though he fell short of partners during Australia's second innings in the first Test against New Zealand at Brisbane on Friday.
Australia's batsmen struggled at the wicket as they ended Day 2 on 131 for the loss of six wickets, scoring at an average of 3.44 runs per over.
Paceman Chris Martin was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, while Iain O'Brien bagged two. Aaron Redmond ran out Michael Clarke for 9.
Andrew Symonds (20), who came in at No 6, was the second highest scorer after Katich. Both batsmen shared a fifth-wicket partnership, the highest for the innings thus far, of 56 runs from 17 overs.
Katich and captain Ricky Ponting (17) shared a second wicket partnership of 40 runs. No other batsmen could give a fair amount of support to Katich.
Earlier, Australia fought back hard after being dismissed cheaply in their first innings and bowled out New Zealand for a mere 156 runs just before tea.
Even though Aussie paceman Mitchell Johnson missed out on claiming a hat-trick, he dismissed four Kiwi batsmen as New Zealand were bundled out for 156 runs shortly before tea.
Brett Lee, Stuart Clarke and Shane Watson claimed two wickets each.
Jamie How and Jesse Ryder shared the highest partnership (37) of the New Zealand innings. Ross Taylor, coming in after the fall of How's (14) wicket, top-scored with a knock of 40 runs off 51 balls, including seven fours.
At lunch, New Zealand were 108 for 4, with Taylor and Daniel Flynn looking in good touch.
Following Taylor's dismissal in the first over after tea, New Zealand's batsmen were unable to reach anywhere close to Australia's first innings score of 214, and were all out for 156, trailing by 58 runs.
Australia will play two Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 game against New Zealand.
Brief scores:
Australia 1st inns: 214 all out (Michael Clarke 98, Tim Southee four for 63)
New Zealand 1st inns: 156 all out (Ross Taylor 40, Daniel Flynn 39, Jesse Ryder 30; Mitchell Johnson 8-3-30-4)
Australia 2nd inns: 131 for 6 (Simon Katich 67 not out, Chris Martin 13-2-52-3)
