Travis Head failed to turn a half-century into a big score for a sixth time as Australia went to tea on day two of the first Test against New Zealand at 6-337 in Perth.
Head fell just before the break on 56, driving Tim Southee straight to cover after regularly going hard at balls outside the off stump.
Marnus Labuschagne was the other man to fall in Friday's first session, finally bowled for 143 by Neil Wagner after hitting his third-straight century on day one.
Tim Paine is unbeaten on 15, while Pat Cummins is five not out.
Head and Labuschagne's scalps at least gave the Black Caps something to smile about in 40-degree heat for the pink-ball Test, after they lost quick Lockie Ferguson to a calf strain.
But Head will be equally frustrated at Optus Stadium.
The 25-year-old has hit seven half-centuries and just one hundred in his 15-Test career, with his sole ton coming last year in Canberra.
He punched the ball off the back foot through point impressively on Friday afternoon, but paid the price for swinging hard at a delivery outside off.
He has been out five times between 50 and 85, and had been not out on one other occasion.
Labuschagne had earlier been beaten by an excellent piece of bowling from Wagner, who has 3-77.
After barely offering a chance in his previous 239 balls, Labuschagne was bowled when one delivery swung and moved off his pitch past his legs and into the stumps.
The Black Caps' quick had routinely banged the ball in short at the right- hander, who stepped inside and tried to glance it as it moved past him.
Labuschagne's third-straight century is certain to lock him into the No.3 position long term, after becoming the first Australian first drop to hit successive tons in 93 years.
His dismissal came after Wagner also removed Steve Smith and David Warner on the opening day, both for 43.
