08 November,2015 07:55 AM IST | | AFP
Joe Burns smashed two sixes to reach his maiden Test century and David Warner joined illustrious company with back-to-back tons as Australia amassed a huge lead over New Zealand in the first Gabba Test on Saturday
Joe Burns and David Warner
Brisbane: Joe Burns smashed two sixes to reach his maiden Test century and David Warner joined illustrious company with back-to-back tons as Australia amassed a huge lead over New Zealand in the first Gabba Test on Saturday.
Joe Burns and David Warner. Pic/AFP
Burns, playing in only his third Test match but his first as opener, blasted spinner Mark Craig for two sixes over long off to race from 88 to 100 in just three balls.
When bad light stopped play on the third day, Australia had stretched their overall lead to 503 runs at 264 for four and an overnight declaration imminent.
Usman Khawaja was not out nine with Adam Voges on one. Burns, who belted 129 off 123 balls with 14 fours and four sixes, thrilled his home Queensland crowd with some prodigious hitting to reach his first Test ton after three consecutive Test half-centuries.
Warner dashed to his second century of the match and 14th overall with 116 before he gave his wicket away with a switch hit to the deep off spinner Mark Craig.
Brief scores
Australia 556-4 decl & 264-4 (J Burns 129, D Warner 116; M Craig 3-78) lead New Zealand 317 (K Williamson 140, T Latham 47; M Starc 4-57, M Johnson 3-105) by 503 runs
