Burns, Warner share another century opening stand

Warner scored a blistering knock of unbeaten 244, while Khawaja played an crucial knock of 121, in order to propel Australia to a mammoth total of 416 for the loss of two wickets by the end of the first day.

Johnson admitted that he underestimated the threat New Zealand’s Kane Williamson could pose. “That didn’t win or lose us the game”.

The more optimistic of New Zealanders say their team often starts slowly in a series; they must be thankful, then, that this one will be played over three Tests.

With his 118th delivery, Warner pulled Mark Craig over midwicket for a boundary that brought up his century, his third in consecutive innings – the second time in his career he had managed such a hat-trick – and his fourth in a row against New Zealand, stretching back to Hobart in 2011.

But the 73rd ball of his innings proved to be his last as Matt Henry struck for what proved to be the last wicket for 258 minutes, an inside edge off a new bat Burns had just changed to disturbing the bails.

Australia’s attack has a few clicks of speed over New Zealand’s fast-medium men, but there should still be encouragement if they get the ball in the right place and don’t over-extend themselves in search of spectacular bounce. Marsh trapped Doug Bracewell lbw for a first-ball duck on the next delivery, and it was effectively all over for New Zealand.

New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee will make the decision about whether he is fit enough to play in the second test against Australia starting on Friday, skipper Brendon McCullum said on Thursday.

The tourists took just eight wickets on a fast, bouncy wicket at the Gabba and were plundered for over 800 runs across both innings in the 208-run defeat. The series concludes with the inaugural day-night test match at the Adelaide Oval.

The fitness of strike bowler Tim Southee, who is suffering from a back injury, will be assessed today, while all-rounder James Neesham has already been sent home with his own back complaint. He bowled a combined 20 overs, taking one wicket and conceding 111 runs.

“We know Boult is a world-class bowler”, McCullum said.

The 150 came from 182 balls with another two fours and the addition of his first six but his celebrations were muted compared to that for his century, indicating that his real target still lay ahead. “But we think he’s going to do a great job… he bowled really well last time he was here, against the South Africans in the one-dayers”. “We have no excuses”, he said. “Full of class. He’s a huge positive out of this test. Thought the openers were good as well and I’m sure they’ll take a lot out of this as well”.