Australia have made a superb start to the first Test of the three-match series at The Gabba in Brisbane.
The Aussies did not let any New Zealand bowler to breathe right from the start of the game and maintained a brilliant run rate of above four runs an over right till the end of the day's play.
The National selectors of Cricket Australia will be happy with their choices they made in the form of Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja. Burns opened the batting with David Warner and built a 161 runs partnership with the latter. Burns scored 73 runs before Tim Southee finally got the better off the Queenslander.
Khawaja came out to bat at No. 3 and did not let his coach and skipper down. He played a superb supporting role to Warner as the latter was going bonkers at the other end of the wicket. Warner scored his 13th Test century against New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series. It was indeed an outstanding innings from the vice-captain of Australia.
Khawaja and Warner added 150 more runs together and put Australia firmly in control of this match. Skipper Steve Smith came out to bat after Jimmy Neesham got the better off David Warner and eventually dismissed for 163 runs.
After Warner was dismissed it was almost like role reversal for Khawaja. He took on the Black Caps bowling attack and went on to score his first century of his Test career. His innings included 10 fours and two sixes. Khawaja and Smith have already added 71 runs. Both these batsmen have remained not out at the crease. They will be looking for a huge total on Day 2 and ask New Zealand to bat in the latter half of Day 2.
Neither Trent Boult nor Southee could make any impact on Day 1 of the first Test. Instead they were taken for a lot of runs. None of the Kiwi bowlers bowled economically and most of their economy rates were above four runs an over. Too many runs were leaked in almost all the sessions of the first day of the first Test.
It will be interesting to see whether Australia will continue with a similar approach on Day 2 as well. On the the other hand, New Zealand bowlers will need to pick up early wickets if they would want to get back into this Test match or else they are looking at a threatening total that Australia are likely to put up on the scoreboard at the end of the first innings.
Where to watch live:
Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2 is scheduled for a 10 am local time (5:30 IST, 12 am GMT) start with live TV coverage in India on Star Sports 2 Star Sports HD 2. The live streaming option will be available on Starsports.com and Hotstar.com.
The viewers in the UK can watch Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2 in Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1. The fans can live stream the same on SkyGO.
The audience in the US can tune into Willow TV to watch the Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2 and stream the same on Wilow TV online.
The fans in Australia will have to switch to Channel 9 and stream the same on Cricket.com.au.
Cricket fans in New Zealand will can watch Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test match on Sky Sport 1 and Sky Sport HD 1. The live streaming option will be on SkyGo.co.nz.
