Batsmen Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge made their Test debuts aged 30 during the series against the West Indies and bowler Nathan Bracken (three previous tests) and all-rounders Andrew Symonds (two) and Shane Watson (one) were recalled.
After a slow start to the New Zealand innings, Nathan Astle and Craig Spearman looked to replicate the performances of the West Indies openers when they hit Franklyn Rose for 15 runs off his third over.