Day three report Christchurch scorecard

Adam Gilchrist lamented not turning the screw on New Zealand despite his century helping to put Australia back in contention in the first Test.

The Aussies had looked in trouble on 201-6 on day three in Christchurch before Gilchrist and Simon Katich put on 212 runs for the seventh wicket.

"We had the momentum so much there and I felt like I'd opened the door again," Gilchrist said.

"Not that New Zealand were out of it, but the momentum was ours."

Gilchrist made 121 off 126 balls, with 12 fours and six sixes, while Katich's 118 off 229 balls was more circumspect but no less worthy.

Their seventh-wicket stand, Australia's second-best in Tests, put Australia within one run of the Kiwis' first-innings 433, and at day's end the hosts had reached 9-0 in their second dig.

New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori, who grabbed 5-106 to pick up his 12th five-wicket haul, was awestruck by Gilchrist's knock.

"I think we witnessed a pretty special innings today," Vettori said.

"His ability to score quickly and with good batsmanship sets him apart from most batsmen.

"You saw today how devastating he is. Four men back and he was still clearing the ropes pretty easily."

Despite Australia's comeback, New Zealand are still in a good position and will look to set the visitors a challenging fifth-day chase.