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Brisbane: Australia beat New Zealand by 208 runs in the first Test at the Gabba on Monday to go one-up in the three-match series.
The Australians dismissed the Kiwis for 295 as they chased an improbable 504 runs for victory.
Skipper Brendon McCullum top-scored with 80 before a contentious dismissal, while spinner Nathan Lyon took three wickets for 63.
His innings aside, New Zealand never looked like they were in this game on the fifth Day. Ross Taylor got a short one from Josh Hazlewood which he got the glove onto way of the wicket-keeper.
After Taylor, it was Neesham who joined McCullum at the crease but he looked as scratchy as ever and finally succumbed to a snorter from Mitchell Johnson which took the handle of the bat, lobbing up to Joe Burns at silly point. BJ Watling was the next man to fall with Nathan Lyon getting him leg before.
McCullum’s unfortunate dismissal was followed immediately by the wicket of Doug Bracewell who edged to the keeper of Marsh. Tim Southee realising the hopelessness of the situation went after the bowling in his usual fashion and edged one to the keeper off Hazlewood for five runs. The final wicket to fall was that of
New Zealand had seven wickets in hand to bat out the fifth day but they did not even manage to get past the first session.
The Australian bowlers did very well and deserved their rewards as they came. Johnson reached a personal milestone when he got rid of Neesham since it was his 310th Test wicket which got him at par with Brett Lee on the list of all time Australian wicket-takers. He did not find the opportunity to surpass the mark however.
The foundations for the victory for Australia were laid in the very first innings of the game when David Warner and Usman Khawaja scored mammoth hundreds and their efforts were compounded with big fifties from Joe Burns and Adam Voges as Australia raced to 556 for the loss off just four wickets before they declared.
New Zealand’s response was fairly sound till the fall off the second wicket as Kane Williamson and Tom Latham looked amazingly solid at the crease. However a lapse in concentration from the part of Latham got him caught off Starc’s bowling at point. It went downhill for the Kiwis from there with Taylor, McCullum and Neesham falling in quick succession.
Williamson finished with 140 as New Zealand managed to get to 317 all out and even despite conceding Australia a lead of over 200 they were not asked to follow on. Australia’s plan was obvious in the next innings and they executed it to perfection against a Kiwi attack that lacked the venom on a pitch that assisted bounce rather than swing. Warner smashed another hundred and fellow-opener Burns scored an impressive ton too.
Williamson looked his steady best again and it took a marginal lbw call to have him fall to Lyon on 55. Guptill also fell to the same bowler. To his credit, Lyon was absolutely outstanding on the wearing Gabba track utilising the bounce and the enhanced turn to create doubt with every delivery.
David Warner was named man of the match for his twin centuries.
The Australians claimed the seven remaining wickets on the final morning to take the lead in the three-Test series.
Australia head to Perth for Friday's second Test with the Kiwis facing a mounting injury toll.
Brief scores
Australia - 4/556 dec (Khawaja 174, Warner 163, Voges 83, Burns 71) and 4/264 dec (Burns 129, Warner 116, Craig 3-78)
New Zealand - 317 (Williamson 140, Starc 4-57, Johnson 3-105) and 295 (McCullum, 80, Williamson 59, Lyon 3-63)
Result - Australia won by 208 runs
MOM - David Warner (Australia)
