With a superb 164, David Warner put Australia in command of the opening Test against Pakistan in Perth. Warner, 37, led Australia to a 346-5 victory on the first day of his final series before retiring from Test cricket. Warner has surpassed Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke to become Australia’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.
David Warner’s sixth Test score of more than 150 came in the wake of criticism from ex-teammate Mitchell Johnson. Johnson questioned if Warner deserved a “hero’s send-off” following his part in the’sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy in 2018.
David Warner assists Australia in setting the tone
After winning the toss, Australia chose to bat and soon grabbed control of their first Test since the Ashes series in England last summer. David Warner and Usman Khawaja put up a 126-run opening partnership until Khawaja was dismissed on 41 by Shaheen Shah Afridi just after lunch. Khawaja was wearing a black armband after it was decided that he could not make an on-field statement in favour of Palestinians.
The batter intended to wear shoes with the slogans “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” on them.
David Warner scored his 26th Test century in 125 balls after reaching 50 in 42 deliveries. While Pakistan was unable to eliminate him, they did take vital wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (16) and Steve Smith (31) before they could get going. Travis Head, who was recently elected co-vice-captain of Australia’s Test squad, scored fast runs with Warner for the fifth wicket before being caught on 40 off Pakistan debutant Aamer Jamal’s bowling.
Warner’s innings was ended after some short ball bowling from Jamal at the close of the day paid off, with the left-hander being caught by Imam ul-Haq. He now has 8,651 career Test runs, which places him over of fellow Australian legends Clarke (8,643) and Hayden (8,625).
'Never write off Davey,' says one
“Great day,” says Australia skipper Pat Cummins on ABC Grandstand. Day one here is never easy to bat, but the lads put on a clinic, 100-0 is quite incredible. You never write off a great player like Davey; in fact, you almost half anticipate it when he’s up against it. It was his hallmark, and I couldn’t be happier for him; he’s a champion, and I’m thrilled for him. I believe he has always taken satisfaction in silencing a few detractors, and he would have been thrilled with the result, which was fairly fantastic. We’d want another 100 or 150 runs with five wickets in hand.”