Ricky Ponting [ Images ] and Mike Hussey [ Images ] scored half-centuries to put Australia [ Images ] in a strong position in the second Test in Adelaide on Saturday.

At close on Day 2, Australia, replying to New Zealand's [ Images ] 270, were 241 for 3, with Hussey unbeaten on 69 and Michael Clarke [ Images ] on 43.

Ponting was the last home batsman to be dismissed. Australia's captain fell in the second over after tea for 79, including 13 fours, caught at short mid-wicket by Peter Fulton [ Images ] after facing 124 deliveries.

Matthew Hayden [ Images ] was run-out for 24 before lunch in his 100th Test after a mix-up with opening partner Simon Katich [ Images ].

Eleven runs later, Katich was caught off bat and pad by Jesse Ryder [ Images ] for 23 off spinner Daniel Vettori [ Images ], reducing the Aussies to 2-49. But Ponting and Hussey batted steadily to take Australia to 155 before being seperated.

Overnight 262-6, New Zealand's first innings lasted just 8.3 overs more with Brett Lee [ Images ] (4-66) and Mitchell Johnson [ Images ] (2-56) claiming the last four wickets.

Australia lead the two-match series 1-0.

Scorecard

New Zealand (1st innings - overnight 6-262):
A Redmond c Symonds b Hauritz 83
J How c Haddin b Johnson 16
J Ryder c Clarke b Hauritz 13
R Taylor lbw Clark 44
P Fulton c Katich b Symonds 29
D Flynn b Llee 11
B McCullum c Haddin b Lee 30
D Vettori not out 18
T Southee c Katich b Johnson 2
I O'Brien c Haddin b Lee 0
C Martin b Lee 0
Extras: (4b 8lb 1w 11nb) 24
Total: 270

Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-101, 3-130, 4-194, 5-200, 6-228, 7-266, 8-269, 9-270, 10-270.

Bowling: Lee 25.3-8-66-4, Clark 20-6-56-1 (2nb),  Johnson 25-5-56-2 (1w), Hauritz 16-2-63-2 (1nb), Symonds 12-2-17-1 (1nb).

Australia (1st innings):
M Hayden run out 24
S Katich c Ryder b Vettori 23
R Ponting c Fulton b O'Brien 79
M Hussey not out 69
M Clarke not out 43
Extras: (3lb) 3
Total: (for 3 wkts) 241
Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-49, 3-155.

Bowling: Martin 13-3-50-0, Southee 18-1-62-0, Vettori 28-12-54-1, O'brien 16-3-63-1, Ryder 4-1-9-0.