Clarke's century helps Australia to 132-run lead

Michael Clarke took over the Australian captaincy knowing he had to win back the support of a cricket public that had lost patience with a national team in decline in the wake of last seasons Ashes defeat.Clarke marked his first home series as skipper with a hundred Saturday, albeit punctuated with three big reprieves, to help Australia to 427 on day three in reply to New Zealands first innings of 295.When he walked off after making 139, the 11,451 fans at the Gabba rose to give him an ovation. It was a far more pleasing noise than the boos that echoed around some Australian grounds last summer when he was struggling for form.Ex-skipper Ricky Ponting and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin also came into the series under intense pressure to hang onto their places in the team, despite some impressive innings in Australias series-leveling win over South Africa at Johannesburg earlier this month.Both kept the critics at bay for a while with big innings for the home crowd Saturday Ponting making 78 in an important 86-run stand with Clarke and Haddin scoring 80, including a 108-run sixth-wicket partnership with the new captain.Rookie paceman James Pattinson removed dangerous opener Brendon McCullum in the last over as New Zealand went to stumps in their second innings at 10 for one, with Martin Guptill on seven.