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Australia's star southpaw David Warner silenced his critics in style as he struck a blistering century in his 100th appearance in the longest format to end his century drought. Warner hammered a scintillating 124 off 189 as of 56.3 overs when Australia's scoreboard read 205/2. It was Warner's 25th Test century and 45th International ton, which came after a wait of almost three years as he last belted a century in January 2020.
Warner completed his century in just 144 balls with a four down the on-side off Kagiso Rabada. He became just the 10th batter and second Australian in Test history to hit a hundred on their 100th match in the longest format. Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting is the only batter to score two centuries in his 100th Test.
Warner's last five Test innings:
AUS vs SA: 3 runs (17 December 2022)
AUS vs SA: No runs scored (17 December 2022)
AUS vs WI: 28 runs (8 December 2022)
AUS vs WI: 21 runs (8 December 20220
AUS vs WI: 48 runs (30 November 2022)
The 36-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2011, also crossed the 8000-run mark en-route to his knock as he became only the eighth Australian batter to taste this feat. Warner’s 25 Test tons places him in the fifth spot among all openers in Test cricket. Sunil Gavaskar (33), Alastair Cook (31), Matthew Hayden (30) and Graeme Smith (27) are the only batters ahead of Warner in this list.
Warner (45) also has the second-most international centuries among active players, only behind Virat Kohli (72). The dashing left-hander also equalled Sachin Tendulkar (45) for most tons as opener across formats.
Australia are in a commanding position after the opening session of the second Test at the MCG.
After Cameron Green ripped the heart out of the South African batting order with 5/27 on the opening day, it was over to David Warner on day two.
