Australia 4/556d & 4/262d def New Zealand 317 & 295 (88.3ov, McCullum 80/80b/2x6 10x4, Williamson 59, Lyon 3/63, Marsh 2/25, Hazlewood 2/68, Starc 2/69) by 208 runs: T1/3 D5/5 at the Gabba, Brisbane. Australia lead series 1-0. Player of the match: David Warner.
Only a go down with all guns blazing run a ball 80 from captain Brendon McCullum and a 46 run last wicket partnership delayed the inevitable Australian win at the Gabba. A draw caused by rain wails have been an unjust result, and the Black Caps, with Kane Williamson dismissed on D4, would have required a lot of good fortune and fortitude to have batted through a full last day.
Australia may have taken longer than they'd hoped, but the bowlers did the job. Nathan Lyon bowled well as I thought also did the Mitchells Johnson and Starc, if not at their destructive best. They must be looking forward to the extra assistance which the WACA pitch may offer them when the series resumes on Friday.
New Zealand have both form and fitness worries. The attack, especially the spearhead Trent Boult, was below par and it seems that the replacement cupboard may not be well stocked. It's hard to see them regrouping from here.
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