O'Brien serves it up to Lee, Ponting

New Zealand fast bowler Iain O'Brien said it was "just a bit of on-field humour" but clearly Australian captain Ricky Ponting didn't get the joke.

The Black Caps were licking their wounds on Sunday night after reaching 0-35 in their second innings at stumps on day three of the second Test at Adelaide Oval, still trailing Australia by 230 runs after the home's side's first innings of 535.

But at least O'Brien was able to land a few blows over the weekend, taking 3-111 with the ball and striking Australian tailender Brett Lee a couple of savage hits on the back and arm with a short-pitched barrage.

O'Brien was also at his competitive best when he took the prize wicket of Ponting on Saturday for 79 just when the skipper looked set for a big hundred.

"He missed out on the big one yesterday and it got a little bit interesting from there, a little bit of chat," O'Brien said on Sunday.

As Ponting departed, O'Brien yelled: "You missed out there."

A furious Ponting turned his head sharply in response.

"He didn't quite hear me. He asked what I'd said and I told him," O'Brien said. "And then he got a bit fiery and a couple of the other boys got a bit fiery.

"There was nothing in it. A bit of on-field humour."

O'Brien, 32, has taken 35 wickets in his 12 Test appearances and has already met some of his personal goals for this two-Test series against Australia.

While he admits the Black Caps will struggle to avoid defeat in Adelaide, he is pleased he is at least giving it his best shot against the top-ranked Aussies, even if he cops come ribbing from the crowds for his competitive antics in the field.

"This crowd has been really good, I had no problem with the Brisbane crowd (either)," he said.

"I want to compete as much as I can. It's a tough office.

"I feel personally like I'm doing alright."

O'Brien, who bats at No.10 and made a duck against Lee in New Zealand's first innings, knows he'll get some more short balls when he bats again on Monday or Tuesday.

"I thought I'd get a couple back," he grinned.

"I got a couple (while batting) in Brisbane, I got a couple here.

"It was always going to happen. I picked up a wicket out of it (bowling short to Lee).

"It doesn't matter how many I bowl, I know I'm still going to get a couple back so I thought I might as well keep going."