Brisbane, Nov. 5 : David Warner and Usman Khawaja slammed contrasting centuries to put Australia in a commanding position at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at Brisbane on Thursday.
Australia made 389 for the loss of two wickets after opting to bat first, thanks to Warner’s pugnacious 163-run knock and Khawaja’s maiden Test ton.
Warner smacked 19 boundaries and one six in his agenda-setting knock and weathered the new ball spells of Tim Southee and Trent Boult by putting on a 161-run stand with Joe Burns before the latter was dismissal for 71.
New Zealand, who are aiming to register their first series in Australian soil in 30 years, struggled throughout the day.
Khawaja and captain Steve Smith remained unbeaten on their respective scores of 102 and 41.
The second Test will be played in Perth before the Trans-Tasman rivals play each other in Test cricket’s first day-night fixture in Adelaide. (ANI)