Southee's availability makes no difference as Warner continues dominance over New Zealand
Australia continued to plunder runs at will against New Zealand as David Warner scored a double century while Usman Khawaja scored his second ton of the series to leave the hosts in a commanding position in the second Test that got underway at WACA today. Australia finished the day’s proceedings at 416/2 as Brendon McCullum tried in vain, even bringing on himself as well as Martin Guptill, in an effort to pick wickets.
The Black Caps skipper might have been relieved after Tim Southee passed a late fitness test to be included in the playing XI, but his joy soon evaporated as his Australian counterpart Steven Smith won the toss and decided to bat first. A sense of Deja-vu soon engulfed the visitors as the opening pair continued from where they left off at the Gabba notching up a third consecutive century opening stand.
Warner especially looked in devastating touch as he scored runs at a brisk pace scoring 30 runs off his first 21 balls, setting his sights on bringing up his third hundred in as many innings. The southpaw played a near faultless innings though he did survive a leg-before-wicket appeal after New Zealand opted to seek the help of the DRS.
Burns also survived a similar shout as the Kiwis lost both their appeals early on, something they would go on to regret, big time, later. The 26-year-old though failed to capitalise on the chance as he was dismissed just before lunch. If New Zealand were hoping that the wicket would present a change of fortunes, they were badly mistaken as Warner and Usman Khawaja, who came in at the fall of Burns’ wicket made matters worse for the visitors after the break.
Warner brought up his fourth consecutive century against New Zealand, a run which stretches back to Hobart in 2011, with a boundary off Mark Craig in the mid-wicket region. Khawaja gave him able support at the other end though he did have luck on his side as he snicked one to the keeper’s gloves while batting on 38, but unfortunately, the umpire didn’t oblige.
Khawaja made the most of the good fortune as he continued his efforts to cement his place in the Test squad with a well-made century. Unfortunately, his innings was overshadowed by the one by Warner who showed no mercy to the hapless New Zealand bowlers.
He reached his double-century just before the new ball was due and McCullum wasted no time in taking the fresh red cherry as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Warner dismissed the new ball with disdain however as he scored 16 runs off the 81st over bowled by Trent Boult.
The visitors did enjoy a brief respite late on as Khawaja’s stay at the crease was brought to an end by Doug Bracewell at 121 bringing the 302-run partnership for the second wicket to an end. Warner finished at 244 off just 271 balls with Smith giving him company on 5.
Scorecard:
Australia won the toss and decided to bat first
Aus 1st innings:
| David Warner | 244* (281) |
| Joe Burns | 40 (73) |
| Usman Khawaja | 121 (186) |
| Steven Smith | 5* (12) |
| Total | 416/2 |
Bowling:
| Overs | Runs | Wickets | |
| Tim Southee | 19 | 73 | 0 |
| Trent Boult | 17 | 99 | 0 |
| Matt Henry | 16 | 75 | 1 |
| Doug Bracewell | 16 | 57 | 1 |
| Mark Craig | 14 | 77 | 0 |
| Kane Williamson | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| Martin Guptill | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Brendon McCullum | 2 | 16 | 0 |