Australia 316-4 v New Zealand

Michael Clarke gave credit to his ex-fiancee Lara Bingle after making an unbeaten hundred on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Clarke's high-profile split with the model Bingle has loomed large in the Australian media in recent weeks, but the team's vice-captain helped his side take charge.

Clarke only rejoined the squad at the start of the week after returning to Sydney to sort out his private life, and he made a slow start after arriving at the crease with Australia on 115 for three.

He took 45 deliveries to reach nine by tea, and 103 balls to make his fifty, before stepping up a gear in the final session to reach exactly 100 as he and Marcus North took Australia to 316 for four at stumps.

"It's a very special feeling any time you make a hundred," said Clarke, "but it's been a tough couple of weeks. The support I've had from my family, friends, team-mates ... and Lara as well has been tremendous.

"Without her and her support I certainly wouldn't have been back over. To my family and friends who have supported me and Lara I thank them very much."

Clarke admitted he was determined not to get stuck in the 90s overnight and began to play more expansively near the close. "I played some horrible shots from 50 to 100 but I had a little bit of luck. I don't think I would have slept too much if I was on 98 or 99."

Clarke was also delighted to see North return to form with a fifty, after he struggled for runs against West Indies and Pakistan.

"He's worked his backside off. He's had some hard times back at home and I think there have been some question marks about his position in the team but everyone in our changing room knows he should be there and he showed again today why he should be."

In the first two sessions, after Ricky Ponting won the toss, New Zealand had largely been able to keep the Australians in check with some good tight, accurate bowling. The seamer Brent Arnel had a debut to remember with the wickets of the openers, Phillip Hughes and Simon Katich.

Hughes, who came in at the top of the order after the all-rounder Shane Watson was a late withdrawal with a hip injury, made 20 off 24 balls before edging to slip. But it was the only wicket to fall in the morning session as Ponting and Katich comfortably steered their side to 93 by lunch.

The New Zealanders struck twice in the first hour of the afternoon session, getting the key wickets of Ponting for 41 and Michael Hussey for four.

Ponting, who looked set for a big innings, was run out by an underarm throw from BJ Watling when Katich called for a single. Watling was in the thick of it again to remove Hussey when the left-hander, promoted to No4, edged a Chris Martin delivery.

Katich made some amends for running out his captain to reach his 21st Test half-century with his seventh boundary of the innings the ball before drinks.

But tight bowling from the home side put the brakes on the Australian innings, and by tea Katich had moved on to 74, Clarke was unbeaten on nine and Australia were 163 for three.

Katich was fortunate still to be there after two catches went begging just prior to the break. The opener could not make the most of his reprieves, though, and was trapped lbw by Arnel early in the final session, having added just five more runs to his total.

Clarke and North showed plenty of patience following the dismissal of Katich as the New Zealand bowlers kept the pressure on. But as the session wore on they cut loose to bring up their hundred partnership.