BRISBANE, (Reuters) – Australia were held up by Brendon McCullum but dismissed New Zealand for 295 before lunch on the final day of the first test yesterday to win by 208 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The hosts had dominated the match since their new-look top order racked up 389-2 on the opening day and never looked like losing a first test at the Gabba since 1988.
New Zealand captain McCullum fought a thrilling rearguard with a run-a-ball 80 but once he was controversially dismissed the writing was on the wall for the tourists.
Australia made 556-4 declared in their first innings and declared again on 264-4 in their second, limiting New Zealand to 317 in their first knock.
“It’s nice to start the summer off on a high,” said Australia skipper Steve Smith.
“I think the boys did a great job from day one … that really set us up for the test match. To be one-nil up in a three-match series is pretty crucial.”
Opener David Warner was named Man of the Match for his innings of 163 and 116, the best of several fine batting displays from the hosts that formed the bedrock of the victory.
