AUS vs NZ, First Test: David Warner, Joe Burns set records as Kangaroos take 503-run lead

Brisbane: It took one test for David Warner and Joe Burns to become established as Australia's opening combination, creating a milestone with two century partnerships in the first test against New Zealand to change the complexion of the series.

Burns (129) plundered two sixes in three deliveries to reach his maiden test hundred, moments before rain interrupted play on Saturday evening, and Warner (116) completed a personal double after the resumption.

The pair became the first Australians to combine for two 100-plus stands for the first wicket in the same test.

Their 237-run partnership in the second innings followed a 161 stand on day one of the first test, which set Australia on course for its first innings of 556-4 declared.

Warner, who scored 163 in the first innings, joined former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting and India captain Sunil Gavaskar as the only batsmen to post hundreds in each innings of a test three times.

At stumps on day three, Australia was 264-4 in its second innings, an overall lead of 503 runs.

"We always set out to try and break records as a team, and that's one thing we'll continue to do. When you're on top in the first innings you get to go out like today and play the way you want to play, with all the confidence in the world. You get that opportunity to go back to back,” Warner said.

"That's something special, as a pair as well, a century-run partnership in both innings, it was probably a credit to the way we went about the game," he said.

Burns, who batted at No 6 in his first two tests but was promoted to open following the retirement of Chris Rogers, achieved the rare feat of outscoring Warner for most of their partnership, getting off the mark with a boundary and then calmly clouting spinner Mark Craig for straight sixes to move from 88 to 100. His 123-ball innings contained 14 fours and four sixes.

"It's been fantastic - (Warner) certainly keeps me in check and keeps me level. When you're doing well it's easy to sit here and say that we're operating really well, but there's certainly going to be challenges coming every week. As long as we keep preparing well and working off each other, hopefully we can have plenty more days like this," Burns said.

Warner was also on the attack but, after reaching his 14th test century, tried an ill-timed reverse sweep to spinner Mark Craig and was caught in the deep to end the opening stand.

It was the first of three quick wickets for Craig, who also had Burns caught in the outfield and dismissed Mitch Marsh (2) to return 3-77.

Kane Williamson caught Steve Smith (1) low to the ground to give Trent Boult his first wicket of the innings, and only second of the match in which the beleaguered New Zealand attack is missing injured swing bowler Tim Southee.

With a handful of senior players retiring after the last Ashes series, Australia was considered vulnerable - particularly at the top of the order - at the Gabba, where it hadn't lost since 1988. But ever since Smith won the toss and elected to bat, the Australians have been on top.

Williamson batted defiantly for 140, scoring his first test century against Australia and 11th overall, but was the last man out as New Zealand was dismissed for 317 – a deficit of 239 - after adding 160 to its overnight total of 157-5.

Williamson stood firm while New Zealand lost 4-16 in a five-over collapse late on the second day. He stroked 24 boundaries from 178 balls before he finally ran out of partners and patience and was caught behind off Mitchell Starc, who picked off the last two wickets and returned 4-57. Mitchell Johnson had figures of 3-105, having B.J. Watling (32) caught behind with his first ball of the morning.

The 25-year-old Williamson now has scored test centuries against eight countries "It's a tough challenge. Australia has played very well, but it's important that the guys dig deep and show a really fighting effort," he said of New Zealand's precarious position in the test. (Photos: AP)

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