Clarke bounces back   19 Mar 2010

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Clarke, fresh from Australia following a hellish fortnight of off-field dramas, did not allow the New Zealand crowd the satisfaction of failing with the bat and instead notched a solid, unbeaten 100 to help his side through to 316-4 at stumps.

Clarke and Simon Katich (79) saw off the New Zealand bowling attack in style, with the latter looking strong for a majority of the first day, reaching his 21st half century before being trapped lbw by Kiwi debutant Brent Arnel.

Daryl Tuffey bowled extremely well for New Zealand and, while he failed to claim a wicket, gave away just 35 runs off his 16 overs.

It was Arnel that proved the most destructive of the Kiwi bowlers however, claiming two excellent wickets for 70 runs off his 20 overs.

Earlier in the day, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting won the coin toss and sent his side into bat. But after a belting start, the first wicket fell relatively early.

First to go was Phil Hughes who, as a late replacement for Shane Watson, came out firing on all cylinders before Northern Districts' seamer Arnel struck to end his innings on 20.

With Katich taking it slow down one end, Ponting kept the run rate ticking over for Australia to hit the sheds at lunch sitting at 93-1.

The captain did not last too much longer however when he was disappointingly run-out by BJ Watling on 41, bringing Mike Hussey out onto the crease.

Hussey never looked settled and was soon caught by Watling for four runs off Chris Martin's bowling, leaving Australia looking a little vulnerable on 115-3.

Katich, along with Clarke, stabilised the innings however and notched his 50 off 132 balls.

After Katich's dismissal, Clarke took the reins and claimed his 14th Test century off 141 balls, hitting 10 fours and two sixes.

Clarke, with help from the powerful hitting of Marcus North (52 not out) forged a 140 run partnership to move the visiting side into a strong position on 316-4 at stumps.

Disaster had struck Australia before play even started when Watson was ruled out of the Test at the last minute when a hip-injury he picked up in the fourth ODI match resurfaced while training in the build-up

On a more positive note for the tourists, seamer Ryan Harris overcame a side strain and will make his Test match debut. Clint McKay was named as 12th man.

New Zealand had earlier named an obvious starting XI with Northern Districts' Arnel making his debut.

As skipper Daniel Vettori opted for the pace of Arnel over a second spin option, Jeetan Patel was again named as 12th man.

SOURCE : Sportal

IMAGES: Getty Images

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