Lunch Australia 454 and 1 for 172 (Warner 89*, Burns 40) lead New Zealand 251 by 375 runs

David Warner maintained his latter-day dominance of SCG Tests as Australia hustled towards a third-innings declaration against a bedraggled New Zealand on day four of the New Year's Test.

Under overcast skies, the hosts piled up 132 runs in the morning session, with Warner scooting from 23 overnight to the outskirts of a century. His eight most recent Test innings at the SCG now read 89 not out, 45, 56, 55, 113, 122 not out, 4 and 101.

They were aided by a New Zealand side that seemed mainly to be waiting for the inevitable declaration although Todd Astle bowled nicely to deceive Joe Burns, and should have dismissed Marnus Labuschagne caught-and-bowled for the second time in the match, only to drop a simpler chance than in the first innings.

The Australians showed their intent to score very early on as Warner worked the ball around and ran with intent in between regular boundaries, while Burns danced down the wicket to loft William Somerville nonchalantly over the boundary in front of the SCG's venerable Members Stand.

Astle had more success when introduced, beating Burns with a big legbreak off the last ball of his first over of the day and then pinning him lbw with a googly on the front foot with the first delivery of his second - albeit only after Tom Latham reviewed Aleem Dar's not-out verdict.

Labuschagne was fortunate to survive the return catch he offered Astle soon after, but he was quickly into stride alongside Warner as Australia pushed their lead close to 400 by the time of the interval.