Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 1 Review: Australian batsmen stamp their authority over clueless NZ attack

Australia vs New Zealand 1^st Test Day 1 Review: Australian batsmen stamp their authority over clueless NZ attack: Australia efficiently blunted the potent New Zealand attack on the day 1 of the first Test match of the Chappell-Hadlee series. Warner was at his sublime best, and went on to score 155. While Khawaja and Burns capitalized on the good batting conditions and went on to score a century and half century respectively, Smith looks sublime and will look to capitalize going into the second day. New Zealand bowlers, meanwhile, were looking out of ideas and have to toil hard to make a comeback in this Test.

Earlier, Steven Smith decided to bat first on a batsman-friendly wicket after winning the toss. Josh Hazelwood was drafted into the team in place of Peter Siddle, whereas the New Zealand captain included Doug Bracewell in the place of Matt Henry. The New Zealand opening combo of Southee and Boult started right on the mark, hitting on the right areas. The first hour, as always, was the crucial phase, and the batsmen dealt with it without taking many risks.

While Southee was the better of the two; hitting the right areas right from the start, the batsmen cautious enough not to go after tempting deliveries. Joe Burns took 20 deliveries to get off the mark, and David Warner held back his attacking instincts and played defensively for the first hour or so. Despite exchanging a few words with McCullum, he never lost his cool, and began to score freely once the opening bowlers were called off the attack.

The flow of runs never really stopped, and the Australian batsmen capitalized excellently on the near-flat pitch. Australians comfortably went into lunch with 100 on board after 25 overs, with Warner getting his half century a couple of overs before lunch and Burns nearing his maiden half century.

Post lunch session started off auspiciously for the Australian batsmen, who continued from where they left before lunch. Burns got to his maiden half-century in the 29^th over. While the New Zealand pacers occasionally troubled the batsmen with a few deliveries, the batsmen weren’t entirely worried. Just when it looked like both of them were set for a major partnership, Southee removed Burns with an away swinger, which was a delivery which he could have left alone. But he was well appreciated by the crowd for his knock of 71.

But Warner continued his positive knock, who was later joined by Khawaja. Both of them batted positively against the New Zealand bowlers. McCullum was running out of ideas, and even with the introduction of spin, nothing much was going according to his plan. Warner, meanwhile, got to his well deserved century, and celebrated with style. After another impressive session, Australia went to tea with 222 on board, with Khawaja looking good and Warner being at his ominous best.

Warner marched ahead positively to his 150, whereas, on the other side, Khawaja looked solid. Just when it looked like Warner would go on to make his maiden double, he fell going after a wide delivery outside off, and thanks to a excellent catch from Ross Taylor. Khawaja continued to score positively, and got to his 50 in just 60 balls. Meanwhile, Smith joined Khawaja at the crease, and the misery did not end for New Zealand bowlers.

Smith, meanwhile, started off positively, punishing the bowlers. The proceedings went as such for the final hour of the day, with the major event being Khawaja bringing up his maiden century. A brisk century which came off just 123 balls, he justified his comeback into the team. Smith, meanwhile, kept playing positively, and ended with 41 runs to his name at the end of the day. Australia, thanks to some extremely good batting, scored 389 runs on the first day of the Test, losing just 2 wickets.

Summary

A day dominated by Australian batsmen, New Zealand were taken to cleaners by some excellent batting. While Warner and Khawaja went on to make sublime centuries, Burns earlier got into the act with a good half century. With the captain and Khawaja still in the crease, thinks look bleak for New Zealand going into the second day.

Brief Scorecard

Australia 389-2 in 88 overs ( Warner 155, Khawaja 102*; Neesham 1-36)