Even though McCullum blasted the fastest ever Test century off just 54 balls yesterday, the tourists were still able to bowl New Zealand out for 370 and opener Burns and skipper Smith shared a mammoth stand of 289 to guide their side to 363 for four – a deficit of just seven.
Burns, who made 170, was imperious in going to his third Test century and highest score while world number one batsman Smith (138) continues to scale new heights as he struck a 10th ton in his last 32 innings.
The pair were brought together in the fourth over of the day after Usman Khawaja edged Trent Boult to first slip. The left hander added just six to his overnight score before he pushed at a delivery outside off stump and guided the ball straight into the hands of McCullum.
That made it 67 for two and New Zealand thought they had the Australians 77 for three when Burns was given out caught behind off a rising delivery from Matt Henry with his score on 35.
However, Burns reviewed the decision straight away, with replays showing the ball flicked his bicep and the dismissal was overturned.
And it was all Australia from there as they made New Zealand’s attack toil on a flat wicket.