McGrath milks the applause for his maiden Test half-century

Glenn McGrath hit his maiden Test fifty as he and Jason Gillespie put on an unbeaten 93 in Australia's 564-9 againt New Zealand in Brisbane.

The 10th-wicket partnership helped the hosts take a 211-run lead at stumps on day three of the first Test.

It followed good work from the middle order, Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist hitting a century each.

The Kiwis were run ragged, though Daniel Vettori and Chris Martin each claimed four-wicket hauls.

Play began on Saturday with Australia 197-4 in reply to the New Zealand total of 353.

The game remained in the balance as Damien Martyn fell early on for 70 before top-edging a cut shot off Martin which flew to third man.

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But that was as good as it got for the tourists. Clarke reached a 148-ball century on the stroke of lunch with a hook for four off Martin.

And in the second session, he and Gilchrist really imposed their authority.

They put on 216 in 43 overs of organised mayhem - Gilchrist needing just 130 balls for his century - before Clarke was bowled by Vettori having a wild slog at the spinner.

Finally Gilchrist, attempting a fourth boundary in a single Martin over, was caught on the boundary after miscuing a hook shot.

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Vettori added the wicket of Shane Warne, trapped lbw for 10, before Michael Kasprowicz departed just after tea.

If New Zealand sensed an end to the innings they were wrong as Gillespie and McGrath came together to enjoy their final flourish.

McGrath in particular had a field day, especially when he clocked a six over midwicket off Vettori.

He had one chance on 11 when he got a top-edge to Jacob Oram and Mark Richardson dropped a regulation catch at short mid-wicket.

The Gabba crowd rose as one to applaud his fifty, a superb effort from Australia's first-choice number 11 who averages just seven with the bat in 102 Tests.

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)