Shane Warne gave Australia a slight advantage over a resolute New Zealand with a four-wicket haul on the third day of the first test yesterday. The leg-spinner toiled for 42 overs on a placid Gabba wicket for his reward, helping Australia to gain a slender lead of 24 runs on the first innings.

At close of play on the third day, Mark Taylor's side were 25 for one in their second innings, a lead of 49 runs with nine wickets in hand, leaving the outcome in the balance with two days left to play.

After compiling 373 in their first innings, Australia dismissed the visitors for 349 during the last session yesterday.

Warne shouldered the heaviest workload of the Australian bowlers and was rewarded with the wickets of opener Blair Pocock, debutant Craig McMillan, wicketkeeper Adam Parore and all-rounder Chris Harris at a cost of 106 runs.

With the pitch expected to deteriorate over the final two days, Warne is likely to emerge as a key factor in any bid by Australia to win the game.

But New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming played down the threat posed by Warne, whose accuracy wavered during several lengthy spells.

"He is not getting a lot of assistance out of the wicket, although there is a little bounce," Fleming said.

"Warne was not as great a threat as he has been in the past. It's a question of being patient because he is bowling enough bad balls to take the pressure off."