Gilchrist smashed his second-highest score

Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn smashed centuries against New Zealand on day three to leave Australia in charge of the second Test.

Martyn made a career-best 165 while Gilchrist belted 162 to help the tourists declare on 570-8 - their highest score ever in New Zealand.

New Zealand had crashed to 122-4 in reply by stumps, needing to bat for another two days just to save the Test.

Glenn McGrath did the early damage with the ball, taking two wickets.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming fell lbw first ball to the veteran after he failed to offer a shot.

We've got runs on the board and a batting line-up that crumbled against our attack last week Adam Gilchrist More reaction

Then McGrath dismissed the in-form Hamish Marshall for 18, caught by Jason Gillespie at long leg off a mistimed pull.

Opener Craig Cumming departed for 37 when he played on to a ball from Michael Kasprowicz on then Nathan Astle gave Shane Warne a simple catch at slip off part-time spinner Michael Clarke.

Recalled batsman Lou Vincent survived to reach the close on 38 with ightwatchman James Franklin unbeaten on six.

Skipper Ricky Ponting declared Australia's innings closed half an hour before tea in the rain-hit match after a brutal display of hitting by Gilchrist and Martyn.

The first session was delayed because of rain and fog but the two Australians still managed to pile on 90 runs in the 14 overs they faced to set the tempo for the day.

McGrath's two wickets left New Zealand in serious trouble

Martyn, who started the day on 106, smashed 24 fours in a 287-ball innings that ended when he edged Iain O'Brien to wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum before tea.

Gilchrist, who has scored centuries in his last three Test innings, was even more aggressive as he racked up his 15th Test hundred and his second highest score.

The left-hander rode his luck when on 64 when Hamish Marshall made a diving catch only to lose the ball when his elbow made contact with the ground.

But he survived to make life particularly hard for spinner Daniel Vettori, who took two for 170 off 47 overs.

Gilchrist hit 22 fours and five sixes off just 146 balls before he was caught and bowled by Franklin, who finished with four wickets.

Warne then smashed 50 off 37 deliveries to rub salt into the wounds.

New Zealand: S Fleming (capt), C Cumming, H Marshall, L Vincent, N Astle, C McMillan, B McCullum (wkt), D Vettori, J Franklin, I O'Brien, C Martin.

Australia: R Ponting (capt), M Hayden, J Langer, D Martyn, M Clarke, S Katich, A Gilchrist (wkt), S Warne, J Gillespie, M Kasprowicz, G McGrath.