Australia vs. New Zealand: Winners and Losers from 1st Test
Australia haven't lost at the Gabba since 1988, and they further improved this record with a comprehensive 208-run hammering of New Zealand in the opening Test of the current Trans-Tasman Trophy series.
Throughout their two innings, the rampant Baggy Greens scored runs for fun against a decent Black Cap attack and then—save for Kane Williamson's resistance—collected 20 wickets with a minimum of fuss.
But who were the individual stars of this high-octane contest? And, with the next Test beginning very shortly, which three players could find themselves carrying the drinks in Perth?
Here are the three biggest individual winners and losers from this action-packed, but one-sided, affair.
Winner: David Warner
1 of 6
Performance: 163 and 116
Scoring centuries is part and parcel of a batsman's job but hitting two in a single Test match is a feat that has only been achieved 80 times throughout the sport's history.
But, after backing up his huge first-innings effort with a brutal second-innings assault, David Warner has, incredibly, joined Ricky Ponting and Sunil Gavaskar in figuring on this elite list of players for the third time.
In all, Australia's recently appointed vice-captain pummelled 27 fours and three maximums off the beleaguered opponents, setting the tone for his side's commanding victory.
Loser: Doug Bracewell
2 of 6
Performance: 0/107 and 0/63
Doug Bracewell narrowly edged out Matt Henry to make New Zealand's starting XI in Brisbane, but after enduring a torrid time in the field, he probably wishes he hadn't got the nod.
Harshly treated by the Aussie batsmen throughout, the 25-year-old seamer grinded through 38 wicketless overs at a cost of 170 runs, and he registered a golden duck, too.
Prior to this Test, Bracewell had taken a respectable 55 wickets in 19 Tests, but he could find himself carrying the drinks next week in Perth.
Winner: Kane Williamson
3 of 6
Performance: 140 and 59
While all those around him were losing their heads, Kane Williamson batted defiantly in both of New Zealand's innings to take the game into a fifth day.
The prolific 25-year-old hit 24 boundaries during his classy first-innings effort—the rest of his side only managed 15 between them—and added five more fours second time around during a fluent half-century.
Williamson has been the Black Caps leading batsman for some time now, and his incredible form in 2015 has seen him average 96.42 every time he's walked to the crease in a Test.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Loser: James Neesham
4 of 6
Performance: 3, 3, 1/50, 0/61
This was not a game James Neesham will want to remember in hurry after struggling to make an impact with either bat or ball.
The all-rounder, 25, is one of an impressive crop of youngsters the Kiwis can call upon, and he came into the clash averaging over 43 with the bat and 32.81 with the ball.
However, two single-figure scores and some innocuous bowling which went for more than five runs per over, leaves Neesham's place in the side under threat.
Winner: Mitchell Starc
5 of 6
Performance: 4/57 and 2/69
While most pacemen struggled to take wickets on this flat Gabba track, Mitchell Starc returned impressive match figures of six for 126 to further enhance his reputation.
The pacy left-armer, 25, was a threat throughout and, despite a late assault from Brendon McCullum, he bowled with great control and accuracy on a testing pitch.
After a stuttering start to his international career, Starc has now claimed 84 victims in 23 Tests, and, with age on his side, he should continue to climb the list of Australia's all-time wicket takers.
Loser: Trent Boult
6 of 6
Performance: 1/127 and 1/61
New Zealand's Trent Boult came into this Test ranked as the current fifth-best bowler in the world, according to the ICC's Official Player Rankings.
However, the 26-year-old was clearly out-bowled by his rival left-armers, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson, and picked up just two wickets while recording an expensive economy rate of over five.
With the WACA usually providing one of the fastest tracks in the world, Boult will need to perform a lot better if the Black Caps are to have any chance of getting back into the series.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
