Sixteen wickets fell on another day of carnage in Brisbane but the Test remains in the balance. Australia is relying on Simon Katich to extend what, in ordinary circumstances, would be a slim 189-run lead.

But this is no typical Gabba pitch. Michael Clarke's assessment that Australia's first innings score of 214 would be "more than competitive" proved true, with New Zealand bowled out for 156 in just 50 overs.

Mitch Johnson, playing in front of what used to be his home crowd, collected personal best Test figures of 4/30 and came agonisingly close to a Test hat-trick. Johnson removed Tim Southee and Iain O'Brien in separate overs but consecutive balls, bringing Chris Martin - allegedly a worse batsman than the Coldplay lead singer - to the crease.

The ball was too short and sailed past a clueless Martin's outside edge. The hapless No 11 did manage to score a run, thus avoiding adding to his impressive tally of 23 Test ducks, before Johnson did indeed end the innings.

Stuart Clark was dropped from the side during the Indian tour but wasted no time in profiting from the seam-friendly track. He removed Aaron Redmond from the very first ball of the day, as the Kiwi chased after a delivery that could, and should,have been left.

Jesse Ryder was typically belligerent despite the circumstances and was lucky to survive when, on 11, Brad Haddin spilt a chance. The edge was headed straight for first slip and in all likelihood would have been caught easily by Matthew Hayden but instead the keeper dived and put down the catch. Ryder's joy was short-lived: a Lee delivery struck him on the box, just two balls later.

When Ryder eventually did depart for 30 it was in predictable fashion. He gifted Shane Watson a wicket with a lazy cut shot sans footwork and Brad Haddin made no mistake. Like Ryder, Ross Taylor refused to alter his attacking game and amassed 40 before being trapped leg before by Lee.

Australia's second innings began even more horrifically than the first: Matt Hayden edged a perfect length ball from Chris Martin and was out for a golden duck. Ponting combined with Simon Katich to ensure a recovery of sorts - they added 40 - before two quick wickets fell in one Iain O'Brien over.

Ponting departed due to an ill-advised pull shot, resulting in a top edge, while Mike Hussey was desperately unlucky to be given out caught behind when it was clear - even watching it live - that the ball had only brushed pad.

Yet again Australia's deep batting order, with the exception of Simon Katich, had failed to master the conditions and it leaves Katich and Haddin with much to do in the morning. Given New Zealand's first innings score a lead of 189 is sufficient but the pitch is expected to dry out over the weekend and offer less assistance to the bowling side.

Perhaps Ricky Ponting should be thanking groundsman Kevin Mitchell Jnr for the green pitch. The lack of a specialist spinner means Australia's over rate is woeful at just 12 an hour, though this time there was no use of Mike Hussey or Michael Clarke's part-timers. Not that it will matter: 26 wickets have fallen in just two days of Test cricket, so it's hard to see over rates - or indeed the spirit of cricket - becoming an issue.

In association with SPIN Magazine.