Katich ton puts Australia on top

Simon Katich's unbeaten century put Australia on course for a probable victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Katich hit an unbeaten 131, his sixth Test century, to see his side to a second innings total of 268.

It left the Kiwis a target of 327 but Brett Lee claimed his 300th Test wicket as they slumped to 49-4.

Only Ross Taylor was able to combat the home side's attack and his 67 not out saw New Zealand to 143-6 at the close.

The loss of both Daniel Flynn and Grant Elliott in the final five overs of play were crucial blows for New Zealand.

Flynn was bowled by Mitchell Johnson for 29 after helping Taylor add 84 for the fifth wicket and Elliott went to Stuart Clark for nought, giving Clark figures of 3-23.

It left the tourists needing another 184 to win and their hopes of an unlikely win almost entirely dependent on Taylor and skipper Daniel Vettori.

The day began with Australia only 189 ahead on 131-6, but the tail provided Katich with the support he required to tip the balance in their favour.

The left-hander's century arrived off 179 balls but Vettori boosted New Zealand by bowling Brad Haddin (19) and Brett Lee (seven) with his left-arm spin.

Johnson, however, outscored Katich in a stand of 53, contributing 31 to Australia's cause before he was caught by Vettori off Elliott's medium-pace.

Katich ran out of partners when Tim Southee accounted for last man Clark, who hit four boundaries in his 18 off 12 balls, but had the satisfaction of becoming only the 10th Australian to carry his bat through a Test innings.

The eyes of home supporters were on Lee at the start of New Zealand's second innings and it only took him three deliveries to claim his 300th Test wicket when Jamie How edged an attempted drive to second slip.

He was expensive thereafter, conceding 53 from nine overs, but Clark was his usual tidy self at the other end and struck a second blow with a juggling caught and bowled to send Aaron Redmond on his way for 10.

New Zealand suffered another double blow following the tea interval with Jesse Ryder (24) and Brendon McCullum (three) leg-before to Johnson and Clark.

But Taylor and Flynn, New Zealand's leading scorers in the first innings with 40 and 39 not out, continued their good form in a partnership which occupied 23 overs.

Taylor hit six fours in a 79-ball half century but Flynn was unable to keep him company to stumps and the New Zealand's disappointment at his dismissal was compounded by Elliott's exit off the final ball of the day.