Darren Lehmann falls 19 short of home Test ton

The Aussie brought groans from his home crowd, riding his every run, when he was bowled off his pads for 81 on Saturday.

Darren Lehmann may have missed his last chance of scoring a coveted Test century on his home ground as Australia took charge of the second cricket Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

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The 34-year-old Australian senior batsman brought groans from his hometown crowd, riding his every run, when he was bowled by off-spinner Paul Wiseman off his pads for 81 to end his four-hour vigil.

Lehmann's knock was one of five half-centuries scattered around opener Justin Langer's 215 in Australia's massive first innings declaration of 575 for eight.

They had the Kiwis under pressure at 56 for two at the close of day two in the second Test, needing 376 to make the Australians bat a second time.

Lehmann, who has raised speculation that he may retire from international cricket if he makes his first Ashes tour to England next year, is playing only his second Test on his Adelaide ground.

"I was a bit frustrated at not getting there, I worked pretty hard throughout the whole innings and to not give a chance and almost play the perfect innings without getting three figures is a bit disappointing at the end of the day," Lehmann said.