Missed chances saw the BLACKCAPS’ victory target near 300 despite captain Daniel Vettori's best efforts on the third day of the first cricket test in Brisbane.
Thanks to a century from opener Simon Katich, Australia went to lunch on 220 for eight in their second innings at the Gabba today for an overall lead of 278.
The BLACKCAPS took two for 89 in the opening session, with Vettori claiming both victims, but two dropped chances off Katich cost the tourists dearly.
Katich was missed on 70 by paceman Iain O'Brien, a sharp one-handed return catch, and on 86 by short leg fieldsman Jesse Ryder from a bat-pad chance off Vettori.
At the interval, Katich was still unbeaten on 113 while No 10 Mitchell Johnson was proving troublesome on 19 as the pair added 34.
The Australian opener, who resumed on 67, rode his luck to post his sixth test century with a hooked boundary off O'Brien, in 266 minutes off 179 balls, including 14 fours.
It was his fourth test century of the calendar year.
Vettori made the crucial incisions after Chris Martin and O'Brien couldn't break the home batsmen in their opening spells.
The captain brought himself on in the day's 13th over, and with his second delivery he deceived Brad Haddin and bowled him between bat and pad for 19.
It broke a seventh-wicket stand of 41 and the BLACKCAPS had their big chance.
Australian paceman Brett Lee had an unhappy 32-minute stay and survived a confident early leg before wicket shout from Vettori, before the skipper finally got his revenge when Lee was bowled for seven off the back pad.
Vettori bowled nine overs in the session to end with two for 27 off 13 overs while Martin, who sparked yesterday's Australian collapse, had three for 59 off 18.
NZPA
