The New Zealanders are known for being pretty patient players Michael Kasprowicz Full close of play reaction

Determined batting from Mathew Sinclair and Jacob Oram enabled New Zealand to recover from a poor start to the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.

They were in real trouble when Michael Kasprowicz picked up three wickets, including Stephen Fleming for a duck.

Sinclair survived for over three and a half hours to make 69 as they struggled to 142-5 at tea.

But Oram led a counter-attack in the final session, hitting nine fours in an unbeaten 63 as they ended on 250-7.

Fleming, whose place in the New Zealand team had been in doubt in the build-up to the game because of a virus, chose to bat after winning the toss.

Sinclair and Mark Richardson survived the new ball burst from Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, but the introduction of Kasprowicz as first change soon paid off for Australia.

Richardson (19) was taken at second slip by Ricky Ponting and Kasprowicz struck again three balls later when a thinner edge resulted in Fleming being caught by Shane Warne.

Sinclair led the recovery with support from Brisbane-born Scott Styris, and they put on 51 before Kasprowicz struck for the third time with a wonderful delivery which saw Styris caught behind by Adam Gilchrist for 27.

But Australia's cricket was not flawless and Nathan Astle was dropped twice, by Darren Lehmann and Kasprowicz.

He failed to capitalise, however, as he failed to slide his bat in as he attempted a single and was beaten by Michael Clarke's throw from point.

Oram revived New Zealand with some powerful strokes

Astle's dismissal for 19 ended a stand of 61 with Sinclair, who departed in the same over after Ponting claimed a low catch off Gillespie.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne had to wait until the last session to add to his world record tally of 541 Test victims, removing Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum.

McMillan hit the day's only six, but his adventurous approach backfired when he was caught behind for 23.

And the Warne-Gilchrist combination struck again with the total on 206 when McCullum was given out stumped after the third umpire had studied the TV replay.

Oram reached his half century off 88 balls and Daniel Vettori kept him company over the last 10 overs to reach 13 not out.

Australia: Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clark, Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath. (12th man: Brett Lee)