Burns ditches plan to swing his way to century

Centurions David Warner and Joe Burns brutalised an undermanned New Zealand attack and looked to have cemented their opening combination for a few time to come as Australia homed in on a first Test victory on Saturday.

Burns, playing in only his third Test match but his first as opener, blasted spinner Mark Craig for two sixes over long off to race from 88 to 100 in three balls.

Their openers David Warner and Joe Burns were already in good form as they had scored 163 and 71 respectively in the first innings, and carried that form in the second innings.

“I’m just very proud”.

“I can’t think of a better place to do it than at the Gabba in front of friends and family”.

Warner scored twin centuries in a match for the third time, as he scored another explosive century.

Australia emerged from the rain delay swinging their bats at a run rate of 6.49 as Warner joined Burns in making his century.

“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”, he said.

“You’ve still got to get in, knuckle down, see the first session out and see the bowlers off and play your game”. “That’s something special, as a pair as well, a century-run partnership in both innings”.

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 completed a low scoring match when he 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.

As the support cast dwindled, Williamson continued to hold firm and strut his stuff in the middle, bringing up his century with two runs before lunch. “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 ease and speed at which Warner and Burns scored on Saturday was all the more dispiriting for the visitors given it came after a defiant 140 from Kane Williamson.

Usman Khawaja (9) and Adam Voges (1) were unbeaten at the crease when fading light ended play, with a declaration expected early on Sunday after captain Steve Smith opted not to enforce the follow-on, having dismissed New Zealand for 317 earlier in the day.