AUSTRALIA'S reputation as world cricket's comeback king has been placed on the line by a plucky New Zealand team which yesterday revelled in the absence of its tormentor Brett Lee.
The Black Caps claimed the first day of the Test series at Jade Stadium when they patiently picked off the Australian attack to reach 3/265 in their first innings.
Hamish Marshall (103 not out) posted his first Test century and debutant Craig Cumming chipped in with 74 to leave the obvious question about whether a frustrated Australia would have been better suited with in-form Lee's searing pace.
Selectors opted to go without him despite public support from captain Ricky Ponting and Lee's recent one-day performances when he terrorised the Kiwis.
Lee had little to say yesterday after carrying the drinks for the Australian first XI.
"Each time a problem has come up throughout my career I've managed to find a solution," he said. "This time around I don't have any straightforward answers.
"I'm really disappointed.
"All I can do now is try to go away and work even harder to do whatever it takes, whatever that may be, to force my way back into the Test side."
While the Lee debate is sure to rage on, the decision did not look good at the end of the day - particularly as Glenn McGrath (0/59) and Jason Gillespie (0/56) failed to take a wicket.
Michael Kasprowicz, who had been regarded as the bowler selectors preferred to Lee, claimed 1/64 from his 18 overs. He had Cumming caught by Gillespie at mid-wicket. Part-time bowler Michael Clarke and spin legend Shane Warne took Australia's other wickets.
"That wasn't the first day we would have liked. We won the toss and elected to bowl so we would certainly have liked to pick up more than three wickets," Australian coach and selector John Buchanan said. "We grassed a couple of chances and missed a run out. Hopefully we've learnt a little from that."
Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming, who was trapped lbw by Warne (1/60) for 18, refused to tuck into the Lee debate.
"I knew they had a tough decision on their hands and, whoever they left out, we would probably breathe a sigh of relief," Fleming said. "All we could worry about was the worst-case scenario, which was four seamers coming at us at once."
Cumming, 29, was hardly dashing but he stood firm against an attack that has destroyed other Test rookies. Marshall, 26, looked comfortable throughout his four-hour knock, lifting his Test average to 212 from three innings.
Tempers frayed in the final session when the Australians struggled to break a 46-run stand between Marshall and Vincent.
Vincent angered Warne by taking his time between deliveries and he further incensed the Australian by pulling away during his bowling approach.