Agence France Presse
Brisbane, Nov 9: Australia crushed New Zealand by 208 runs but the Kiwis were left to curse a disputed decision against skipper Brendon McCullum on the final day of the first Test here Monday.
The Australians claimed the seven remaining wickets on the final morning in Brisbane to go one-up in the three-Test series after dismissing the Black Caps for 295.
New Zealand were chasing a massive 504-run target after two innings declarations from the dominant home side, who easily maintained their 27-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba.
Pugnacious opening batsman David Warner was named man of the match after hitting centuries in both innings as the Australians powered away.
While the Kiwis were well beaten there was controversy over the dismissal of McCullum, who was his team’s shining light with a typically free-scoring knock. McCullum was well set for his first Test century in Australia on 80, when he got a disputed call from English umpire Nigel Llong who gave him out to a catch by Steve Smith at second slip.
McCullum protested, saying he had not hit the ball, but with New Zealand’s two referrals already exhausted he trudged from the ground as hopes of staying in the match faded.
“It was a difficult game. I think Australia were outstanding. They played right from ball one, they put us under a lot of pressure,” McCullum said.
Brief scores: Australia 4/556 decl (Khawaja 174, Warner 163, Voges 83 n o, Burns 71) and 4/264 decl (Burns 129, Warner 116, Craig 3/78) beat New Zealand 317 (Williamson 140; Starc 4-57, Johnson 3/105) and 295 (McCullum, 80, Williamson 59; Lyon 3/63) by 208 runs.
