New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming's decision to bowl first, Ricky Ponting's outstanding century and the poor approach of the New Zealand attack were featured in today's newspaper coverage of the second Test against Australia at Hobart yesterday.

The New Zealand Herald: "The test has not been a huge tactical success for skipper Stephen Fleming, who inserted the world champions, despite the carnage which followed a similar decision at Brisbane, and was part of the tour selection panel who overlooked the credentials of Chris Martin.

"If his reluctance to bowl [Nathan] Astle on the first day was difficult to follow, the move to replace [Daniel] Vettori with the new ball was even more perplexing because the left-armer was the only New Zealand bowler posing a threat to the hosts.

"Back to some of his best form, Vettori was obtaining just enough purchase to make his arm-ball effective and ended with five for 138, his sixth five-wicket bag in test cricket."

The Sydney Morning Herald: "With his unbeaten 157 in the second Test against New Zealand, Ponting put on a thrilling display of his immense talent, slaking the thirsts of Tasmanian fans who had groaned through his three prior Test failures here of 4, 0 and 0.

"But as with many of his previous eight tons, this one had another effect - to raise the expectations of a wider base of admirers who seem to have been waiting for Ponting to become Australia's next great batsman for most of his life.

"Particularly in Tasmania, where he was regarded as a special talent even in his pre-teen years in Launceston, the stylish right-hander has long been forecast to impose himself on the Test scene.

"Yet after a sometimes turbulent career, in which he has dealt with shifts in the batting order as well as off-field dramas, the gnawing feeling remains that Ponting has not quite done justice to his ability.

"Less naturally gifted team-mates such as Steve Waugh and Justin Langer have built imposing careers filled with patience, judgment and heart. Adam Gilchrist has become regarded as one of the finest Test players in the world in two years.

New Zealand Press Association: "[Denis] Aberhart was unhappy that his bowlers made too many of the same mistakes that were seen in Brisbane.

"Daniel Vettori aside, we didn't really bowl the right line and the right length often enough for long periods of time. We've got to make sure that we keep the pressure on for longer periods of time," Aberhart said.

"In saying that, I think Shane Bond showed good promise and he can build on that."

"But Ponting, despite playing 49 Tests, seems to have not yet reconciled within himself the conflicting forces of talent and inexperience, and while it may sound harsh for a man averaging a respectable 45.13 the cricket world is still waiting.

"The wait to see a Ponting golden age may just have taken longer than expected.

"Ponting is 27 next month, and with cricketers now maturing later than in past eras, there is reason to hope Headingley and Hobart will be harbingers for his most productive years."

The Herald Sun: "But thanks to Ponting's first Test century on his home soil, plus more than handy cameos from Shane Warne and Brett Lee, New Zealand will have to score 359 just to avoid the follow-on as it faces the task of having to bat for three days to avoid defeat.

"Ponting resumed yesterday on 92 with Australia at 6-411.

"He was desperate not to fail in front of his home crowd again, after making only four in his first Test here against New Zealand four years ago and then the dreaded pair against Pakistan two years ago.

"But yesterday the Tasmanians gave the Launceston-born Ponting a standing ovation when he brought up his ninth Test century in only the third over of the day."

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