New Zealand Academy batsman Shanan Stewart's unbeaten 74 shone like a beacon at Lincoln Green today, as the home side ended the first day of their match with the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy side from Australia in a strong position.

The Australians were 123 runs behind with three first innings wickets left.

The New Zealand Academy were all out for 208 and by stumps the Australian Academy were 85/7.

New Zealand struggled after being asked to bat first on a brownish-looking pitch in cool conditions. Australian fast bowler Andrew James put the pressure on with some accurate bowling, but just when it seemed the home team had settled in for the long haul Jamie How ran himself out.

As if that wasn't bad enough with only 20 runs on the board, three more wickets fell within six balls.

Nick Horsley was bowled when leaving a ball outside his off stump which he deflected the ball onto his stumps.

Then Luke Woodcock was comfortably caught at short forward-square, as he attempted to evade a rising delivery from the aggressive James.

And finally Jonathan McNamee misjudged a full toss off James and was leg before wicket for a three-ball duck.

Chris Cairns set about fashioning a recovery by aggressive means and hit four boundaries in his 21 off 37 balls, before being trapped leg before wicket.

He wasn't alone in the manner of his dismissal as three players around him in the batting order departed in similar fashion.

Throughout all the misfortune, Stewart was in good touch and finally found a solid ally in Reece Young, who stayed around for more than an hour as 55 runs were added for the eighth wicket.

Stewart had personal reward for his innings when bringing up his half century after 175 minutes, scored off 130 balls. Once he was joined by last batsman Wade Cornelius, Stewart hit out more but the innings ended when Cornelius was caught at slip from Beau Casson's bowling.

Australian patience proved the key to New Zealand's dismissals. Mark Cosgrove took two for 26, James took two for 31 and Casson two for 44.

Disappointed with their own effort, the New Zealanders soon had the Australians in trouble.

Callum Ferguson was brilliantly run out by Brendon McCullum who threw down the stumps from point.

Cornelius combined with wicket-keeper Young to remove Peter Dickson and Cameron Borgas in identical style, searching for fast deliveries outside the off stump.

McCullum soon pounced again, taking a low catch in the gully to dismiss left handed Cosgrove to have the Australians struggling at 55/4.

Young claimed his third catch when Casson cut unsuccessfully outside off to Sam Whiteman who was rewarded for his into the wind bowling with another wicket as George Bailey was caught by How at second slip.

Adam Crosthwaite was the last wicket to fall when he missed a straight delivery from Cornelius and was bowled without scoring. The total was now 79-7.

The day of great fluctuations, dominated by the bowlers, concluded in sunshine with the Australians trailing by 123 runs with three wickets in hand.

Cairns picked up one wicket for six runs from his six overs. Cornelius took three for 30 while Whiteman's two wickets cost 34.

The game finished in sunshine, offering the hope that the remaining days are played out in warmer conditions.

© CricInfo