Simon Katich and Brett Lee both recorded significant individual achievements on day three of the first Test at the Gabba to help Australia gain the upper hand over New Zealand.

Katich notched an impressive unbeaten century and became the first Australian opener since Mark Taylor in 1998 to carry his bat through an innings, while Lee grabbed his 300th Test wicket as the Black Caps stumbled to 143 for six, still 184 runs away from an unlikely victory.

But both were happy to play down their personal milestones and put any celebrations on ice, warning the match is not over yet.

A selfless Katich talked down his knock of 131 not out, which propped up Australia's second-innings total of 268.

"I was just happy to get a hundred when we needed it and to get us to a total that was going to be defendable - it was never about anything other than that," he said.

"As wickets fell yesterday, I felt that I had to knuckle down and make sure I was there."

Katich did believe his work with the willow late on day two, which set up his fourth Test century in a prolific six months, was some of his best ever for Australia.

He said: "They're all up there, it's hard to rate them, the way I batted in Nagpur and the way I batted last night were probably the two best times I've hit the ball for Australia."

The 33-year-old cautioned there was still work to be done on day four.

"We've still got some partnerships to break in the morning, it's far from over yet. (Ross) Taylor's batting well and Dan Vettori can make runs," he added.

Lee became the fourth Australian bowler to make it to 300 Test victims, joining Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

He had Jamie How edging to Ricky Ponting in the first over the New Zealand innings, triggering jubilant celebrations from the seamer.

"It was obviously great, a sweet feeling to see the ball flying into Ricky's hands and to know that you've achieved that milestone," Lee said.

"I obviously don't play the game for those reasons, but on the other side of the coin it's a nice pat on the back for the hard work of the last 10 years.

"The 300th was such a special feeling and I'd like to think that I'll hopefully be one day sitting here with 400 next to the name."

The paceman was struck down with illness prior to the fourth Test on the recent tour to India, but claimed he was now feeling 100% fit and ready to move forward after a self-confessed average performance on the sub-continent.

"The first two Tests I wasn't up to my own standard, I wasn't proud with the way I played, which happens in cricket, but the third Test it felt like I turned the corner from there," he said.

"Unfortunately I got sick after the third Test.

"I wasn't happy on the whole with the Indian tour, but that's behind me now, I've got over that, I've put that to bed and I'm back bowling in Australian conditions."

New Zealand bowler Chris Martin had no doubt why Australia took control of the match.

"I thought Simon Katich happened, he played well, it was the sort of innings that really defined that Australian side as one that keeps that faith and ability," Martin said.

"I thought that he played exceptionally well this morning - to put on that many runs with the tail was a good effort from him."

Martin conceded the Black Caps, who were skittled for just 156 in their first innings, needed a "little bit of a miracle", but was not ready to give up hope quite yet, with Taylor unbeaten at the crease on a fluent 67.

"We still think we've a chance, we've got Rossco (Taylor) out there who's playing very well," he said.

"We've just got to keep the faith in our captain and hope that the sort of performance that the Australian tail put on today is something that we can potentially put on ourselves.

"It's going to be a big ask, its going to be a little bit of a miracle, but it's something we'll be trying for pretty hard tomorrow."