Batsman Stuart Carlisle has made cricket's history books in the second Test at the SCG, becoming the first Zimbabwean to record a Test century against Australia.

While the local bowling attack was a shadow of its former self - with Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie and Stuart MacGill among those sidelined - Carlisle's effort was still outstanding with the rest of his side struggling against the world champions.

Vice-captain Tatenda Taibu was the next best with 27 runs in the visitor's first-day total of eight for 256, with most batsmen getting a start but none, apart from Carlisle, able to carry it on.

The 31-year-old Carlisle is a former Zimbabwean Test captain with a previous best of 77, set against India at Nagpur in the 2001-02 season.

He was extremely fortunate to reach his ton, with Matthew Hayden completely missing a simple catch at first slip off Brett Lee's bowling when the batsman was on 40.

Carlisle conceded luck played a part in his record-breaking knock.

"I said to myself last night that I'm going to need some luck and that was the luck that I really needed," he said.

"I thought that was a turning point, it was good for me. I thought 'you can't do anything about the balls behind you, just look ahead to the other balls'."

And Carlisle did battle on, finally falling shortly before stumps for 118 with a thick edge to Ricky Ponting at second slip off Andy Bichel.

His innings included 15 boundaries and two sixes, one of which came against recalled part-time spinner Simon Katich to bring up his highest Test score.

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