Bowlers put Australia on top on Day One

Peter Siddle celebrates the fall of a New Zealand wicket on Friday. (Photo: AP)

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum wanted to celebrate his 100th consecutive Test on Friday but instead it was his Australia counterpart Steve Smith on a high after Day One of the first Test.

Smith won a pivotal toss that helped his bowlers skittle the hosts for 183, and he then scored 71 to lead Australia to 147/3 in reply.

Australia bowled first on a green pitch at the Basin Reserve and McCullum was out for a seven-ball duck as New Zealand found themselves in almost irreversible trouble at 51/5 within the first hour.

Corey Anderson (38), no. 9 Mark Craig (41 not out) and no. 11 Trent Boult (24) offset some of the damage by putting on 86 for the last three wickets, but New Zealand were still out in only 48 overs and before tea.

The Bain Reserve wicket was a touch green, but did not seam too much. Most New Zealanders were too cautious, playing from the crease where they were easily done by slight movement.

The first seven wickets in New Zealand’s innings fell to catches behind the wicket, four to keeper Peter Nevill.

The bowlers’ domination continued when Australia lost openers Joe Burns (0) and David Warner (5) inside the first three overs to be 5/2, but Smith turned the tide as he joined Usman Khawaja in a 127-run partnership for the third wicket.

Smith was dropped by Craig at slip when on 18 and was fidgety at the crease until the pitch calmed down and he could play with more confidence.

He appeared set for a century when he gave Craig another chance and the spinner claimed a sharp return catch.

Khawaja finished 57 not out and Adam Voges was 7 not out. There was one last drama before stumps when Voges was bowled by Doug Bracewell off a no ball which television replays showed was a mistake by the umpire.

SCOREBOARD New Zealand (1st innings): M. Guptill c Smith b Hazlewood 18, T. Latham c Nevill b Hazlewood 6, K. Williamson c Nevill b Siddle 16, H. Nicholls c Nevill b Siddle 8, B. McCullum c Warner b Hazlewood 0, C. Anderson c Khawaja b Lyon 38, B.J. Watling c Nevill b Hazelwood 17, D. Bracewell c Voges b Siddle 5, M. Craig (not out) 41, T. Southee c Hazlewood b Lyon 0, T. Boult c Khawaja b Lyon 24. Extras: (4b,1lb,5nb) 10. Total: (in 48 overs) 183. FoW: 1-17, 2-38, 3-44, 4-47, 5-51, 6-88, 7-97, 8-137, 9-137. Bowling: Hazlewood 14-2-42-4, Bird 10-1-52-0, Siddle 12-5-37-3, Marsh 6-1-15-0, Lyon 6-0-32-3.

Australia (1st innings): J. Burns c Watling b Southee 0, D. Warner c Watling b Southee 5, U. Khawaja (batting) 57, S. Smith c and b Craig 71, A. Voges (batting) 7. Extras: (4b,1w,2nb) 7. Total: (for 3 wkts, in 40 overs) 147. FoW: 1-0, 2-5, 3-131. Bowling: Southee 8-1-22-2, Boult 10-2-36-0, Bracewell 11-1-45-0, Anderson 2-0-9-0, Craig 9-1-31-1.