Ton-up Khawaja, Warner batter New Zealand on day one

David Warner backed up his words with action as he hit his 13th Test century while recalled Usman Khawaja claimed his maiden ton as Australia took an iron grip on their Test series opener against New Zealand on Thursday.

The outspoken Warner, who vowed an aggressive Australian approach to the three-Test series, lived up to his feisty words with his second-highest Test score against an underwhelming Kiwi bowling attack at the Gabba.

With Warner plundering 163 runs off 224 balls, the Australians pounded the ragged Black Caps to go to stumps at 389/2 and a record opening day Test score.

Khawaja also cashed in reaching his first Test century just before the close and was unbeaten on 102 with skipper Steve Smith not out on 41. Along the way Smith raised 1,000 Test runs in the calendar year.