Australia took only 12 minutes to chase the 19 required runs and complete a crushing nine-wicket victory over New Zealand on Day Four of the first Test at the Gabba.

Australia took only 12 minutes to chase the 19 required runs and complete a crushing nine-wicket victory over New Zealand on Day Four of the first Test at the Gabba.

James Pattinson wrecked the New Zealand top order earlier on Sunday, taking three wickets in his first over and four in the first session to help bowl out New Zealand for 150 in the second innings, just an 18-run lead.

Australian captain Michael Clarke hit a century while Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting eased the pressure on their careers with half-centuries as their team took charge on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday.

Clarke scored 139, while Haddin chipped in with 80 and Ponting hit 78, to steer Australia to a 132-run first innings lead with a total of 427.

Australian batsman Ricky Ponting today earned a reprieve with a fighting 67 not out on day two of the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Ponting, without a century in his previous 28 Test innings, kept the critics at bay by guiding Australia to 154-3 before bad light stopped play, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The 36-year-old also passed 12,500 Test runs on his way to his 57th Test half century.

Ponting and Michael Clarke (28 not out) are currently sharing an unbroken 63-run stand.

Ponting had earlier formed a 66-run partnership with UsmanKhawaja (38) for the third-wicket before the left-handed batsman was run out on the first ball after tea.

Tim Southee returned the best figures for New Zealand with 1-31 from 12 overs, and Chris Martin finished with 1-38.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand were bowled out for 295 in their first innings, with off-spinner Nathan Lyon claiming 4-69.