Australia win first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane

Australia took seven wickets before lunch on the final day to seal victory against New Zealand in the first Test of a three-match series.

The Black Caps, having been set a world record 504 to win, resumed on 142-3 and their challenge quickly folded.

Brendon McCullum hit a run-a-ball 80 but the Kiwis were all out for 295.

Spinner Nathan Lyon took 3-63 in the second innings, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh claimed two wickets apiece.

Australia's first innings 556-4 declared set them up for the victory and opener David Warner was named man of the match for his scores of 163 and 116.

"I thought the first morning really set the tone for us with Joe Burns and Davy Warner batting so well," Australia captain Steve Smith said.

"I thought the top order set the test match up for us. The partnerships that we had in that top three were crucial to our success."

The second Test begins in Perth on Friday and the series concludes with the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide.

New Zealand now face a tough task in extending their run of seven Test series without defeat.

Black Caps captain McCullum hopes paceman Tim Southee recovers from a back injury to play in the next match.

"We've achieved some special things of late and it is going to take a special effort over the next couple of Tests to come out with the spoils," McCullum said.

Both captains thought the game was played in a good spirit but Smith was disappointed at Starc throwing the ball at New Zealand tailender Mark Craig towards the end of the match when there was no run-out possible.

"It was just a bit of frustration and I think he just needs to let it out in other ways," Smith said.

"He's done it a few times before and I'm going to have a word to him when we get back to the sheds."

First Test, Brisbane, day five:

Australia 556-4 dec & 264-4 dec: Burns 129, Warner 116

New Zealand 317 & 295: Williamson 59, B McCullum 80, Lyon 3-63

Australia won by 208 runs

Scorecard

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/34763645

Australia v New Zealand: Johnson & Starc make Kiwis struggle

Australia tightened their grip on the first Test as Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc's pace tore into New Zealand on day two in Brisbane.

Usman Khawaja top-scored with 174 as the hosts declared on 556-4, before the Kiwis faltered from 102-1 to 157-5.

Johnson removed experienced duo Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor cheaply to leave the visitors trailing by 399.

Earlier, New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee was forced off the field with an irritated disc in his back.

With the tourists still needing 200 more to avoid the follow-on, they face a mammoth task to avoid heading to Perth trailing in the three-Test series, but their hopes of staving off defeat may well rest with Kane
Williamson.

While the tourists' middle order crumbled around him, the 25-year-old withstood the pace barrage to finish the day in good touch on 55 not out.

With patchy cloud cover appearing over the Gabba midway through the final session, left-armers Starc and Johnson started to find movement through the air and off the Brisbane pitch.

Both captain McCullum and Taylor went edging balls angled away from off stump before Jimmy Neesham was bowled by a precise yorker from Starc.

By contrast, Australia's middle order held steady with skipper Steve Smith (48) and Adam Voges (83 not out) lending useful support to Khawaja.

The declaration came immediately after Khawaja, who began on 102 after making his maiden Test century on the opening day, was caught off Williamson's part-time off-spin.

Southee's injury has forced New Zealand to call up left-arm seamer Neil Wagner as precautionary cover for next week's second Test.

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/34742981

Australia v New Zealand Test series: Gabba facilities slammed as Mitchell Johnson blows up

AUSTRALIA’S build-up to Thursday’s first Test against New Zealand has taken a bizarre twist after spearhead Mitchell Johnson expressed his anger at the quality of the Gabba’s training facilities.

Just days after the tour-match pitch farce at Blacktown, the state of the Gabba’s nets came under fire when Johnson was forced to prematurely pull the pin at training.

Australia’s premier quick bowled for just 10 minutes before complaining the Brisbane nets could not accommodate his long run-up.

Looking visibly frustrated, Johnson sent down a few deliveries off a shortened run before screaming loudly at one point as he struggled to find his rhythm.

The 34-year-old was so annoyed he left the session early, sparking fears he had suffered an injury on the eve of the opening Test of the summer.

It later emerged Johnson’s only grievance was with the training facilities, prompting Australian assistant coach Craig McDermott to drive him across town to Allan Border Field to continue bowling.

Fellow quick Mitchell Starc later confirmed Johnson’s displeasure with the Gabba nets as the veteran of 306 Test scalps ramps-up his preparation for the Black Caps showdown.

IMMATURE DIG: Smith hits back at McCullum

LEADERS OF MEN: Smith and Warner tasked with rebuilding Test side

GABBA TEST: Dropping Marsh down order was ‘given thought’

RED-HOT FORM: Lehmann warns Kiwis to be wary of Starc

ULTIMATE GUIDE: What you need to know about the New Zealand series

“The nets aren’t long enough for a few of us,” Starc said.

“I was batting at the time when he was meant to bowl, so he’ll be fine I’m sure.

“Out in the nets it’s too short, that’s why I came out into the middle (of the Gabba) to bowl a few off my full run.

“There’s a few places around the world which are a bit frustrating with the lengths of the run-ups, but it’s the things we deal with and we’ll be fine come Thursday.

“My run up is 22.8 metres and the run-up (in the Gabba nets) isn’t 22.8m. I’m not sure how long it is. Most of us use the tape measure these days so it’s pretty spot on.”

The Johnson development is the latest episode involving the Gabba nets.
Last summer, India’s touring team complained about the state of the training facilities, claiming the practice wickets were not up to standard.

Source-  http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia-v-new-zealand-test-series-gabba-facilities-slammed-as-mitchell-johnson-blows-up/story-e6frf3g3-1227593180798