Ponting finds form on day two

Ricky Ponting helped Australia build a good platform in their pursuit of New Zealand's 295 on the second day of the first Test at Brisbane.

The former captain finished on 67 not out as the hosts closed on 154-3, trailing by 141.

Ponting and current skipper Michael Clarke put on an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 63 to give Australia a slight advantage before play was ended early due to bad light.

New Zealand had earlier added 119 to their overnight 176-5 with Daniel Vettori falling agonisingly short of his century.

The left-hander had reached 96 when he pushed to Michael Hussey at mid-off and was short of his crease as he attempted a single.

That dismissal triggered a collapse with the last five wickets going down for 41 runs.

Reece Young edged Peter Siddle to Clarke at slip before the Australia skipper claimed another catch in the same position when Doug Bracewell prodded limply forward to Nathan Lyon.

Tim Southee hit out defiantly before holing out to long-on to give Lyon his third wicket. The off-spinner then wrapped up the innings when he bowled Chris Martin through the gate.

Dean Brownlie, in only his second Test appearance, finished with a gutsy 77 not out.

Australia had to face two overs before lunch, in which time debutant David Warner gloved a Southee bouncer to wicketkeeper Young.

Fellow opener Phil Hughes also fell cheaply upon the resumption when Martin took his edge and Martin Guptill held the catch in the gully.

Ponting was almost run out without scoring as he and Usman Khawaja were involved in a mix-up.

After the third-wicket pair made it through to tea they were then parted off the first ball after the break when more confusion led to the removal of Khawaja for a steady 38.

Ponting turned the ball onto the leg-side and called his partner through for a quick single. Khawaja's initial hesitation meant Kane Williamson's throw left him well short of his crease.

Clarke (28 not out) saw his team to the close alongside Ponting but was fortunate to survive on 23 when he was bowled off a Bracewell no ball.