Cricket Australia XI 325-4 (Khawaja 111no) v New Zealanders
Tour Match, Canberra, day one

Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns hit splendid centuries as Cricket Australia (CA) XI posted a massive total of 325 for four against New Zealand on the first day of the tour match in Canberra.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, CA XI got off to a splendid start with a 107-run opening stand between Cameron Bancroft (42) and Burns (102 retired out).

Bancroft’s innings was laced with three boundaries and two sixes. At lunch, the CA XI reached 107 for naught.

Bancroft was eventually dismissed by Doug Bracewell (1-52) when he edged a delivery to the wicket-keeper.

Burns was the first player to reach the three figure mark and retired in the 49th over. The 26-year-old right hander had smacked 15 boundaries in his 155-ball knock.

By the tea break, CA XI managed 206 for two. Khawaja (111 not out) and Adam Voges (33 retired out) further added 58 runs for the third wicket, before the latter made way for Shaun Marsh (11).

Khawaja was at his fluent best as he played at a good pace, plundering 20 boundaries in his unbeaten 168-ball innings.

Marsh became the only other batsman to be dismissed when Kane Williamson (0-14) pouched a catch off Mark Craig (1-105).

The New Zealand bowlers struggled to contain the batsmen on a pitch that seemed as flat as a highway.

Before the end of the day, Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh (18 not out) posted a breezy 69-run unbeaten stand for the fifth wicket, scoring at over five runs an over.

The two captains agreed to end the day after the completion of 90 overs with the CA XI having scored 325 for four.

Bracewell and Craig were the only wicket takers for New Zealand.

© Cricket World 2015