Australia tighten stranglehold on Kiwis in Brisbane Test

Australia maintained a complete stranglehold over New Zealand as their overall lead swelled to 503 at stumps on day three of the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Australian vice-captain first scored two centuries in a same match in March 2014 against South Africa at Cape Town.

Bracewell had been dropped by Adam Voges at first slip off Johnson on four, but it proved only a temporary reprieve as he was soon bowled between bat and pad by Marsh.

A maiden Test hundred for Joe Burns and David Warner’s second successive ton has Australia in commanding position against New Zealand.

Ricky Ponting and Sunil Gavaskar are the only others in the history of the sport to craft a century in each innings of a Test on three separate occasions.

It was also the first time any opening pair had compiled 150-run plus partnerships in each innings of a Test match.

You get that opportunity to go back to back.

“When you’re on top in the first innings you get to go out like today and play the way you want to play, with all the confidence in the world”, Warner said.

Burns showed no sign of nerves as he clocked up his first Test century, hitting spinner Mark Craig for two sixes in three balls to reach the milestone from 102 balls on his home ground. The visiting side resumed the day on 157 for 5, and Williamson stitched small partnerships with the lower order to keep New Zealand’s hopes alive.

It was remarkable scoring by Test rookie Burns and even relegated the usually rapid-scoring Warner to a supporting role against the under-strength Kiwi bowling attack, which was minus pace spearhead Tim Southee, off the field with a back injury.

Skipper Steve Smith was given out for one to a close-to-the-ground catch by Williamson off Trent Boult that needed a lengthy umpire’s review.

Williamson had a late flurry but he was the last wicket to fall for 140 when Starc had him caught behind to leave the Kiwis all out for 317.

Like Warner shortly before, he left to a standing ovation and was congratulated by many an opposition player as he walked back to the dressing room. “It’s pure elation. I’m not really sure what I did or what I was thinking”, he said. “When you’re doing well it’s easy to sit here and say that we’re operating really well, but there’s certainly going to be challenges coming every week”. The first time when he scored the two centuries was in the Test against West Indies at Gabba in November 2005.

The Australians earlier dismissed the Black Caps for 317 with Williamson the last man out.