Clarke's best sets the agenda

Michael Clarke finds freedom from his off-field trouble en route to 168, allowing Australia to declare during the afternoon

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Michael Clarke’s highest Test score allowed Australia to make an attacking declaration midway through the second afternoon against New Zealand.

Clarke’s 168 was an improvement of two on his previous best, in his prior Test innings - against Pakistan at Hobart in January.

Resuming on 100 this morning, Clarke, who is under intense media scrutiny after his split from fiancee Lara Bingle, went on to add 253 with Marcus North, who was unbeaten on 112 when Ricky Ponting surprisingly halted the innings at 459 for five.

Ponting’s bold decision was soon justified when Doug Bollinger struck twice as the hosts slipped to 108 for four by stumps on day two at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

Bollinger trapped opener BJ Watling for nought with the innings’ fifth ball and Mitchell Johnson followed up with some nifty footwork to have number three Peter Ingram run out.

Early in the final session, debutant Ryan Harris claimed his maiden Test wicket when Tim McIntosh got a thick edge to Mike Hussey at gully.

They sank further into the mire when Ross Taylor, who had hit four fours on his way to 21, was superbly taken by North at third slip from the first ball of Bollinger’s new spell.

Once again, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had to perform a rescue mission after coming to the crease with his side in a perilous position at 43 for four.

Vettori and Martin Guptill survived, putting on a valuable 65 runs to close on 42 and 19 respectively.

Earlier Clarke and North, resuming on 52, surpassed the previous Australia record for the fifth wicket against New Zealand: 213.

Having gone past the mark set by Greg Matthews and Greg Ritchie in 1985-86, Clarke brought up his 150 as the visitors cruised to 405 for four at lunch.

Vettori eventually broke through when he got one past an advancing Clarke and Brendon McCullum whipped the bails off. The right-hander had faced 253 balls and stuck 22 fours plus two sixes.

North then brought up a well-deserved ton with his eighth four, his fourth Test century taking 192 balls and also including two sixes.

Shortly after, Ponting called his batsmen in and let his bowlers loose on New Zealand’s fragile top order.