Once again Peter Siddle and James Pattinson have combined to frustrate New Zealand - this time with the bat.
But it was not enough to avoid New Zealand taking a surprise first innings lead on day two of the second trans-Tasman Test in Hobart on Saturday.
In the end Australia were left red faced by the Black Caps as they were bowled out for 136 in 51 overs - still trailing by 14 runs.
After Australia were reduced to 7-75 in the morning session, Siddle and Pattinson combined to put on 56 to have an unlikely lead in sight.
Siddle top scored with 36 while Pattinson added 17 valuable runs as the Bellerive green top began to finally settle after lunch.
However Chris Martin (3-46) celebrated his 37th birthday by combining with Doug Bracewell (3-20) and Test debutant Trent Boult (3-29) to rout Australia.
The hosts were monstered on a green deck dubbed "The Incredible Hulk" for its colour in the morning session, losing 6-69 to limp into lunch at 7-81.
Suddenly Australia looked set to be all out for double figures in a Test for the fourth time in 18 months and the third in the space of a year.
At one stage memories of their Cape Town capitulation came flooding back when Australia lost 3-11 to be reduced to 4-35.
But Siddle and Pattinson avoided blushes - although Australia's recognised batsmen would be left red-faced after watching two tailenders top the team scores.
Australian captain Michael Clarke rated his side's dismissal for 47 against South Africa in Cape Town - their lowest Test total in 109 years - as "disgraceful".
And it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in the Hobart dressing room after Saturday's capitulation, especially following Ricky Ponting's bizarre dismissal.
The former skipper extended his frustrating Test century drought to 30 innings - coincidentally his last ton was in Hobart almost two years ago.
Yet that was not what turned heads on Saturday.
Trapped in front by Tim Southee (1-32) on five, Ponting surprised everyone when he walked before umpire Nigel Llong could barely raise his finger.
It would have been an anti-climax for the Tasmanian faithful witnessing what looks to be his final innings on home soil - if only there were many people to witness it.
Strangely only a sprinkling of punters wandered into Bellerive on a Saturday morning knowing their hero would be batting at some stage due to the wicket.
"I think he deserves better than this," former Test quick Geoff Lawson said on ABC Radio.
NZN