New Zealand are battling to stay afloat after an eventful morning in the first Test in Brisbane, with the Black Caps slumping to 4/108 in the face of a strong Australian retaliation to yesterday’s first-innings humbling.

The Kiwis resumed at 0/7 in pursuit of Australia’s 214 but lost the plot early, succumbing to a combination of rash stroke play and good seam bowling on a wicket still assisting the quicks.

Ross Taylor (40 not out) and Daniel Flynn (6 not out) will return after the break, needing to produce a fruitful partnership to give New Zealand any hope of  a positive first innings result.

Taylor looks to be the key to his side’s hopes. He chanced his arm and attacked strongly through the offside this morning to add some respect to the scoreboard.

Stuart Clark (1/31) provided the perfect start for Australia on day two, taking a wicket on the first ball of the day when Aaron Redmond was caught by a diving Ricky Ponting at second slip for three.

There was no shortage of excitement in a frantic start to the session, even if things weren’t going the way of the home side.

Brett Lee’s (1/22) first over saw Jesse Ryder given a life after Brad Haddin dove in front of Matt Hayden at first slip, just as the ball appeared to be heading straight into the opener’s waiting hands.

Ryder then survived a big LBW shout and a rearing ball to the groin to finish an eventful over from Lee, although one that yielded no rewards for the home side apart from inflicting some wincing pain to the big left-hander.

Lee’s energetic approach and tireless aggression paid off when he had Jamie How playing all around a straightening ball that shattered his off stump, sending him on his way for 14 to have the Black Caps stumbling at 2/44.

Ryder had ridden his luck all morning, with his stand-and-deliver approach keeping the runs ticking over. His tenure ended when he slashed wildly off Shane Watson (1/19) on 30, steering the ball  to Haddin and gifting the Aussies a wicket to have New Zealand at 3/64.