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The Australian top order displayed a dominating batting performance on the first day of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand. Centuries from Australian vice-captain David Warner and Usman Khawaja propelled Australia to a mammoth 389-2 at close of play.
New opening pair Warner and Joe Burns put on a big opening partnership of 161 runs after surviving the new ball bowling of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The New Zealand bowlers had no response to the Australian batting approach as the hosts finished the day at an overall run rate of 4.42 per over.
After losing their last Test series in the 2015 Ashes in England, where they looked lacklustre with the bat, Australia could not have hoped for a better response from the batsmen as they looked at ease on Day One of the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
Putting on 161 for the first wicket, it was a shock the way that Burns lost his wicket. Trying to play away from the body at a ball well outside off, Burn nicked a gentle away swinger from Southee, who was New Zealand's best bowler of the day. Every other Kiwi bowler gave runs at above four per over.
The Gabba traditionally assists pace bowling, but the New Zealand bowlers were all over the place as they could not find the right rhythm to put pressure on the Australian batsmen. Even though the pitch offered some spin, off-spinner Mark Craig was way too wayward and gave easy pickings to the Aussies.
Warner grew in confidence through the day as he kept piling misery on the New Zealand bowlers until he lost his wicket slashing hard at a wide ball from Jimmy Neesham, edging the ball to first slip, where Ross Taylor held on brilliantly to complete the catch.
Khawaja, who is making his comeback to Test cricket after around two years did not show any signs of being rusty as he played some majestic shots at a good scoring rate. He finished the day unbeaten on 102 from just 133 balls.
Captain Steven Smith also looked good in his innings of 41* as he became the third person to score more than 1000 Test runs in 2015 after English batsmen Alastair Cook and Joe Root.
The New Zealand bowlers will have to come up with a disciplined approach on Day Two if they are to reduce the damage that the Australian batsmen have already inflicted on them. On the other hand, the Australian batsmen will be looking to score with similar ease and freedom to put on a huge first innings total.
Interesting stats from Day One:
389 – The runs scored on Day One is the highest number of runs scored on the first day by any team at the Gabba. The previous highest was 364, scored by Australia against England in 2002.
2 – There have been only two instances of partnerships of 150+ for the first two wickets for Australia in a Test innings. One instance was today as Australia amassed 161 and 150 for the first and second wickets respectively. The previous instance was in 1930 against England.
100+ – The last time, before today, that Australia added more than 100 runs for the opening wicket was in 2001.
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