New Zealand trail Australia by 399 runs after losing late wickets

New Zealand were hoping to target Khawaja in his first test for more than two years but the 28-year-old looked anything but nervous as he put on 61 with Warner before the break.

Steve Smith called a halt to Australia’s first innings following the dismissal of Usman Khawaja an hour before tea.

The Black Caps had appeared set to continue the run-scoring theme of the opening two days as they confidently progressed to 101 for one, losing only Martin Guptill when he nicked Josh Hazlewood low to David Warner at third slip. Warner continued the good form from the first innings as he hit the ball around the park easily. You get that opportunity to go back to back.

“It always has a lot more satisfaction behind it when you’re in a strong position in terms of the game but that’s not there at the moment”.

In the 28 Test matches New Zealand have played in Australia, they have won just three while losing 15. His hundred came off 140 balls and included 14 fours and one six.

“It’s been fantastic – (Warner) certainly keeps me in check and keeps me level”, Burns said. “It’s great to be in the same team and bowl in partnerships with him”.

The 29-year-old had reached the half century mark in seven of his eight Tests in 2015 but had not been able to get to the century mark since he achieved the feat for the 12th time against India in Sydney in January.

The Kiwis are chasing a first series win in Australia since 1985 and will be looking to their two highly rated pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult to bowl them to victory over the transitional Australian team.

Responding to Australia’s 556 for four declared, they undid a solid start in collapsing to 118 for five and finishing the day at 157 for five, trailing by 399 runs.

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson raises his bat after getting his century, during the first cricket test match between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane.

New Zealand were on the run at stumps on the second day of the opening test against Australia at the Gabba tonight. He stroked 24 boundaries from 178 balls before he finally ran out of partners and patience and was caught behind off Mitchell Starc, who picked off the last two wickets and returned 4-57.

Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon were the successful bowlers in the first session, but the star was Williamson.