Steve Smith guides Australia into strong position on first day of second Test against New Zealand

Prolific batsman closing in on yet another century as more than 80,000 fans in Melbourne watch home side reach 257-4 at close

Steve Smith plays a shot on his way to an unbeaten 77 for Australia against New Zealand in Melbourne. Getty

New Zealand bowler Colin de Grandhomme, centre, celebrates after dismissing Matthew Wade. Getty

Matthew Wade is struck on the helmet. Getty

Matthew Wade is checked by medical staff after being struck on the helmet while batting. Getty

Australian batsman Steve Smith plays a shot. AFP

New Zealand bowler Tim Southee, right, and captain Kane Williamson. AFP

Steve Smithcelebrates his half century. Getty

Australia batsman Matthew Wade. Getty

Matthew Wade plays a shot. Getty

Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne celebrates after reaching 50. Getty

A general view of Melbourne Cricket Ground during yesterday's opening day. Getty

Steve Smithavoids a short ball. Getty

New Zealand's Tim Southee takes a catch at second slip to dismiss Australian opener David Warner. Getty

New Zealand players celebrate the wicket of David Warner. Getty

Steve Smith of Australia plays a pull shot. Getty

Kane Williamson of New Zealand prevents a boundary. Getty

Marnus Labuschagne of Australia. Getty

Trent Boult fielding for New Zealand. Getty

New Zealand bowler Tim Southee celebrates the wicket of Australian opener Joe Burns in the first over of the match. Getty

Australian opener Joe Burns is bowled by Trent Boult. Getty

Relentless run machine Steve Smith ground out an unbeaten 77 as he closes in on yet another century, putting Australia in the driving seat on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand.

In the Black Caps' first Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1987, captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl, and it looked to be a good decision with Joe Burns out first ball and David Warner gone just before lunch.

But first Marnus Labuschagne, the world's leading run-scorer in 2019, and then Smith hit half centuries to seize back control and leave them on 257-4 in front of more than 80,000 fans.

Along with the fidgety Smith, Travis Head was not out 25, desperate for runs after a lean spell. Labuschagne made 63 with Colin de Grandhomme the pick of the bowlers with 2-48.

The signs are ominous for New Zealand with superstar Smith scoring centuries in his past four Tests in Melbourne, and a fifth looking likely.

"The way they bowled and placed their field, I had to be patient," said Smith. "It's not the kind of wicket you could go after them. I think we did pretty well today.

"The plan will obviously be to score as many as we can [on Friday]. But after getting sent it, I think you'd take 257 for four at the end of the day. One more good partnership would be nice and sort of set the game up for us."

The visitors need to win to square the three-match series after being thrashed in the opening day-night clash in Perth by 296 runs.

It was a bold decision by Williamson to bowl on a pitch that has traditionally been docile and favoured the batsmen.

And it appeared to pay dividends in a sizzling opening over from Trent Boult, back after missing two Tests with a rib injury.

After three testing balls to Warner, his fourth clattered into Burns' middle stump, with the opener out for a golden duck to huge roars from the large New Zealand contingent in the bumper crowd.

Boult was sorely missed by the Black Caps in Perth and along with Tim Southee found early swing and zip with the ball.

"Obviously we would have liked a few more wickets on our tally," said Boult. "I think the overheads [cloudy conditions] and the way the pitch played in the first hour or two, it's annoying not to have them a couple more down.

"On the positive, they haven't got too far ahead of the game. Hopefully, we get a couple [of wickets] early tomorrow."