Brisbane: Ricky Ponting guided Australia to 154-3 after Daniel Vettori's disciplined innings lifted New Zealand to 295 on Friday as two ex-captains led by example on Day Two of the first test.
Ponting was unbeaten on 67 and Michael Clarke, who replaced him as Australia skipper after the World Cup, was not out 28 in an unbroken 63-run partnership when deteriorating light halted play early for a second day. Both batsmen survived close calls just before stumps.
New Zealand resumed on Friday at 176-5 and moved to 254 before a moment of madness cost former Black Caps skipper Vettori his maiden Test hundred against old foes Australia. He was run out attempting a quick single for 96 by Mike Hussey's direct hit from mid-off.
His dismissal ended an innings reviving 156-run sixth-wicket stand with Perth-born Dean Brownlie, who finished unbeaten on 77 after being dropped twice on 3, and gave the momentum back to Australia....
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01:44 PM, Mar 26, 2008
The ICC chief said he hoped Hair could continue umpiring but wasn't sure it would happen following the recent row. ... 
Even for a man who is used to controversy, Hair offered to quit if he was paid for the loss of future earnings. ... 
CNN-IBN asked ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed for his take and the reason he made Hair's e-mail public. ... 
It is now becoming difficult to find a solution to the ugly row that threatens to disgrace the 'Gentleman's Game. ... 
