Despite his concerns, Walters said he still believed Australian cricket was in good shape, but he did predict short-term pain, including a Test series loss to the touring New Zealanders. “There were times over the last three or four years (I thought) it might not happen, but when it did happen the buildup of a lot of emotions came out because it’s what I always dreamt about”.
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Warner posted 163 – crossing 150 for only the second time in his 44 Tests – and shared stands of 161 with fellow opener Burns (71) and 150 with No. 3 Khawaja (102 not out), who both posted their highest Test scores after being thrown straight into action on their national recalls.
With the exception of Southee, who impressed throughout his 19 overs but left the field late, running between the wickets was Australia’s biggest concern. While the pace bowling great made the hosts slight favourites for the series, which continues after Brisbane with tests in Perth and Adelaide, the 64-year-old liked what he saw in the 2015 New Zealand side.
The retirements of Clarke and opener Chris Rogers, plus Smith’s decision to drop down to four in the batting order, means Australia will have a new-look top three.
Warner accused the Black Caps leader of double standards between his on-field values and his off-field opinions. The memory of that seven-wicket humiliation it suffered to Australia in the World Cup final in Melbourne in March is still fresh in their minds.
Australia hasn’t lost a test at the Gabba since 1988 and hasn’t lost to New Zealand here since 1985.
Brendon McCullum returns to skipper the Black Caps after a rest.
“It was a pretty tough day”, said seamer Bracewell.
That delivery aside, the visitors were unable to keep the Kookaburra ball swerving as consistently as they had hoped, and only a handful of deliveries beat the bat.
“Before we go to England our batsmen should be facing two-piece (swinging) balls, and batting on wickets that give a little bit of assistance to the bowlers”, he said. In saying this, I think that it will be a closely contested contest and has the makings of a classic series. He wouldn’t be too happy with today in terms of the rewards he got.
“He is in a good place and hopefully he can have similar results to what he had out here previous year”.
“It was hot out there and quite a challenge”, Warner told the Nine Network.
Australia’s chief selector, Rod Marsh named the 12-man squad that doesn’t feature any debutant this time.
While Australia have a strong new-ball attack of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and either Josh Hazlewood or Peter Siddle, much will come down to whether the home side score the runs to put pressure on the Kiwis.
“You’re playing for a series and for us that’s what our goal is, to win the series”.
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Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, James Neesham, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Luke Ronchi (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
