Australia 556-4 dec & 264-4 (Burns 129)
New Zealand 317 (Williamson 140)
First Test, Brisbane, day three
Scorecard

David Warner and Joe Burns scored centuries at better than run-a-ball as Australia flattened New Zealand by taking a lead of 503 with six wickets in hand at stumps on day three of the first Test in Brisbane.

The opening pair added 237 runs in 37.4 overs to extend Australian domination over their trans-Tasman rivals in the game before bad light brought about an early finish to the day's play.

Earlier, New Zealand began the day in dire straits at 157 for five, trailing Australia by 399 runs.

BJ Watling (32) started proceedings with three boundaries in two overs as New Zealand reached 181 for five in 50 overs.

Mitchell Johnson (3-105) was introduced in the seventh over of the day and he provided the breakthrough straightaway by dismissing Watling caught behind.

Mark Craig (24) joined Williamson as the duo added 46 runs for seventh wicket in 10 overs.

Williamson started to take control as he smashed Johnson and Starc for a boundary each and followed with a couple more fours off Josh Hazlewood (1-70).

Craig became overambitious when he tried to hit Nathan Lyon (1-46) against the spin, only to find Mitchell Marsh (1-32) at backward point.

Williamson added another 42-run stand for the eighth wicket with Doug Bracewell (16), putting enough doubt in Steven Smith's mind to not enforce the follow-on.

It didn't take long for Williamson to get to his 11th Test century as he hit Johnson for two boundaries followed by two runs in the 67th over.

Bracewell at the other end got a reprieve as Adam Voges dropped a sitter at first slip off Johnson.

Williamson hit a couple of boundaries in the 74th over to take New Zealand into lunch at 273 for seven, needing another 83 to avoid the follow-on.

Marsh then castled Bracewell as New Zealand lost their eighth wicket and third of the morning.

Tim Southee (14) came in to bat despite a groin strain as the pair added a quick 37 to take New Zealand past the 300-run mark.

Australia opted for the new ball as soon as it was available and Starc straightaway created impact with it, getting through the defences of Southee.

In his next over, Starc produced a beauty of a delivery holding its line, getting the edge of Williamson to dismiss New Zealand for 317 in 82.2 overs.

Australia managed to secure a massive lead of 239 and decided not to enforce the follow-on.

Starc and Johnson were the pick of the Australian bowlers as they shared seven wickets between them while the rest accounted for a wicket apiece.

Warner (116) and Burns (129) were two men on a mission when Australia began their innings. They managed to bat New Zealand out of the match with a massive 237-run opening stand. 

New Zealand managed to create a few opportunities but failed to convert them.

Burns completed his maiden Test hundred in grand fashion by smacking Mark Craig (3-78) for a huge six over long-on. He reached the milestone on just 102 balls with the help of 11 fours and three impressive sixes.

Rain made an appearance in the second half of the final session resulting in the loss of 30 minutes of play.

Warner had to change gears for this particular knock as with Burns taking charge of proceedings, he decided to play the waiting game from the other end.

Nevertheless, he reached his 14th Test hundred in 109 balls with help of six fours and one six.

Warner became the first man to depart as he skied one while making a failed reverse sweep attempt against Craig (3-78). Burns joined Warner back in pavilion soon after as he too perished while taking on the off-spinner.

Smith (1) and Marsh (2) did not trouble the scorers much as they both fell cheaply before the umpires decided to call off the play due to bad light. Australia ended the day at 264 for four in just 42 overs having a massive lead of 503.

Trent Boult (1-61) dismissed Smith as Williamson took a sharp low catch while Craig got rid of Marsh by having him caught at short mid-on.

It was a long and hard day at the office for the Black Caps. Although Boult managed to pick up a late wicket, he struggled to create opportunities for most of the innings.

Bracewell (0-63) and James Neesham (0-61) proved expensive.

© Cricket World 2015