Wellington: Michael Clarke dispelled any concern over his frame of mind in the opening Test against New Zealand when he smashed a century and put his side into a commanding position at stumps on the first day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington

Any thoughts that Michael Clarke would not be in the right frame of mind for the opening Test against New Zealand were quickly put to rest when he smashed a century and put his side into a commanding position at stumps on the first day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Clarke, fresh from a hellish fortnight of off-field dramas in Australia, did not allow the New Zealand crowd the satisfaction of failing with the bat and instead notched an unbeaten 100 to help his side to 4-316.

Clarke, with help from the powerful hitting of Marcus North (52 not out), got the tourists out of an uncomfortable position when they were sitting on 4-176.

The pair forged an unbeaten 140-run partnership to put the visiting side in control of the match.

Earlier, Clarke and Simon Katich (79) saw off the New Zealand bowling attack in style, with the latter looking strong for majority of the first day, reaching his 21st half-century before being trapped lbw by Kiwi debutant Brent Arnel (2-70).

After winning the toss, Ricky Ponting had no hesitation in batting first and Australia lost Hughes early but Katich and Ponting carried the visitors to 93 for 1 at Lunch.

The Kiwis came back in the second session snaring Ponting and Hussey and then started the final session well with the wicket of Katich early.

However, two men playing for their career fighting different sorts of problems fought a real battle out there, Michael Clarke and Marcus North adding an unbeaten 140 for the fifth wicket, the Clarke reaching his 14th ton while North reaching his 4th Test Fifty. These two counter-attacked brilliantly in the final session, scoring 153 for 1 in 33 overs, closing the day at 316-4.

The bowlers had their fair say in the first two sessions but were taken for plenty in the final session. Brent Arnel stood out on his debut, picking up the openers for 70 runs in 20 overs. Australia in command on Day 1.

The visitors would now be looking to build on this total towards a huge score while the Kiwis would be looking to break this partnership and get into the lower order and try and limit maximum damage.

Brief scores
Australia: 316 for 4 (Clarke 100*, Katich 79, North 52, Arnel 2-70)