Marshall followed up his first-Test ton with another good knock

Hamish Marshall admitted the opening day's play between New Zealand and Australia wasn't easy on the eye.

The Kiwis, who are 1-0 down in the series, pottered their way to 199-5 at stumps in the final Test in Auckland.

"It was a bit of a battle and it wasn't pretty at times," said Marshall, New Zealand's best contributor with 76.

"It was one of those pitches where you never really felt in. There wasn't a lot of pace in it and they were bowling good areas as they always do."

Home skipper Stephen Fleming made a return to form of sorts, scoring 65 off 169 balls, but Australia finished the day full of running with the late scalping of three batsmen for 15 runs.

Glenn McGrath was largely culpable for New Zealand's mulishness, returning the incredible figures of 1-20 from 24 overs, with 17 maidens.

"It was an incredible spell from Glenn, no question," Australia coach John Buchanan said.