Darren Lehmann failed to give his adoring home crowd the century they were savouring but ensured he would live to fight another day as Australia pole-axed New Zealand in the second Test.

The world champions, led by a Justin Langer double-century, grinded the Black Caps into the dry Adelaide Oval turf as they posted 8(dec)-575 - the third highest total in Trans-Tasman history.

At stumps, the tourists were in trouble at 2-56 - still needing another 320 first-innings runs to avoid the follow-on.

On a flat wicket that is offering good turn, NZ will be hard pressed to bat for the bulk of the last three days and prevent a series whitewash.

Langer (215 off 368 balls) became only the fifth Australian batsman to notch three career double-tons as he and Lehmann (81 off 172) tormented the tourists on another mid-30 degree day.

The left-handed pair showed no mercy in the city of churches to put on a record 184-run fourth-wicket stand.

Lehmann looked a certainty to follow the West Australian into three figures but overplayed his hand to be bowled by off-spinner Paul Wiseman attempting an improvised drive.

It prompted an audible groan from the disbelieving Adelaide crowd of 16,754 that was desperate to see the 34-year-old fulfil his major goal of a home-town Test century.

The four-hour knock, though, guarantees Lehmann will keep his place in the side for the three-Test series against Pakistan, starting December 16 in Perth, ahead of Simon Katich.

Langer, 144 not out overnight, belted three sixes in the morning session, including a charged blow off Wiseman over long-on that brought up his 200.

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