Cairns' ton, as New Zealand make 298

Chris Cairns blazed his first test century against Australia and inspired a New Zealand recovery on day one of the second test.

The Black Caps were bowled out for 298 about 30 minutes before stumps and then snared two wickets in seven overs as Australia slumped to 29 for two at the close of play.

Greg Blewett was dismissed without scoring by Simon Doull and Shane Warne (7), who went in as night watchman, was adjudged leg-before wicket to off-spinner Daniel Vettori on the last ball of the opening day.

Michael Slater remained unbeaten on 22.

Earlier, Cairns slammed 14 boundaries and two sixes - both in one over against Warne - to score 109 runs from 137 balls.

The allrounder went to the crease with New Zealand reeling at 66 for five after Brett Lee ripped through the top order but he salvaged the innings with a series of partnerships with Nathan Astle (61), Adam Parore (46) and Vettori (27).

Cairns shared a 72-run stand with Astle before the No. 5 became Warne's second victim, partnered Parore in a 109-run seventh wicket stand and had a 35-run partnership with Vettori.

He eventually fell to an excellent outfield catch from Greg Blewett from the bowling of Colin Miller.

Warne was Australia's most successful bowler, returning 4-68, while Lee had figures of 3-49, Miller had 2-78 and Blewett had 1-24.

Australia won the first test in Auckland by 62 runs and leads the three test series 1-0.

Scoreboard

New Zealand, 1st innings

Matthew Horne c Warne b Lee 4 Craig Spearman c Gilchrist b Lee 4 Mathew Sinclair lbw Miller 4 Stephen Fleming c Miller b Warne 16 Nathan Astle c Mark Waugh b Warne 61 Craig McMillan c Gilchrist b Lee 1 Chris Cairns c Blewett b Miller 109 Adam Parore c Gilchrist b Blewett 46 Daniel Vettori c Langer b Warne 27 Simon Doull c Slater b Warne 12 Shayne O'Connor not out 2 Extras: (1b 8lb 3nb) 12

Total: (all out) 298

Overs: 80.5

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-9, 3-18, 4-53, 5-66, 6-138, 7-247, 8-282, 9-287, 10-298.

Bowling: Glenn McGrath 17-4-60-0 (2nb), Brett Lee 17-2-49-3, Colin Miller 20-2-78-2, Shane Warne 14.5-1-68-4 (1nb), Greg Blewett 8-1-24-1, Steve Waugh 4-0-10-0.

Australia, 1st Innings

Michael Slater not out 22 Greg Blewett c Astle b Doull 0 Shane Warne lbw b Vettori 7 Extras: 0

Total: (for two wickets) 29

Overs: 7

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-29

Bowling: Chris Cairns 3-0-14-0, Simon Doull 3-1-12-1, Daniel Vettori 1-0-3-1.

New Zealand won the toss