Ponting puts Aussies on top

Rain came in the way of Australia's run spree as more than four hours of play wer lost due to the weather on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at the Bellerive Oval on Friday.

In the 34 overs that were possible, Ricky Ponting make a quick, unbeaten 157, his first Test century at home in Tasmania, as Australia amassed 558 for the loss of eight wickets before declaring.

The Kiwis were left to play in murky conditions but as soon as openers Mark Richardson and Matthew Bell reached the wicket umpires Steve Bucknor and Steve Davis offered them the light and a way out.

Bell and Richardson ran from the ground leaving an unhappy Waugh questioning both umpires on the state of the light.

Resuming on their overnight score of 411-6, Australia continued to fire on all cylinders. Ponting and Shane Warne took their seventh wicket partnership to 145 before the leggie was bowled by Nathan Astle for an excellent 70.

Brett Lee hit some lusty blows in his quickfire 41 but the star of the show was Ponting, who had completed his ton off just 129 balls.

Ponting struck 20 fours and one six in his knock, his ninth century in Tests.

With (Glenn) McGrath and (Jason) Gillespie fired up and ready to go the umpires obviously thought it was a bit too dark and it would have been dangerous for the batsmen," Ponting said later.

"We were keen to play. We wouldn't have declared otherwise and we wanted to get out there and put some early pressure on them, but it was too dark and we'll have to wait until tomorrow."