David Warner smashed his 26th Test century on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Thursday.
Warner reached the landmark in just 125 balls. The 37-year-old came into the opening Test under pressure after a lean spell and with former paceman Mitchell Johnson questioning why he deserved a farewell tour.
Warner, in his 110th Test, responded in typical swashbuckling fashion, crashing 14 fours and one giant six to reach his ton.
It was his first century since a battling 200 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground a year ago.
Oh What A Feeling #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Csj44dnPf0— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2023
Australia were 190-2 when Warner brought up three figures, with Steve Smith not out on 16.
Usman Khawaja was out for 41 and Marnus Labuschagne departed for 16.
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Earlier, Warner and his opening partner Usman Khawaja amassed 117 without loss by lunch. after the hosts had won the toss and opted to bat first, consigning Pakistan to the field in searing heat.
Warner padded up under pressure to score runs, with an emotional goodbye from the five-day game at the third Test in Sydney in front of his hometown fans his stated goal.
In the lead-up, former paceman Mitchell Johnson questioned whether Warner deserved a hero’s farewell given his recent poor red-ball form and involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
The 37-year-old Warner, in his 110th Test, responded in typical swashbuckling fashion, crashing 11 fours and one giant six in his 67-ball knock.
He took a confident single off his first ball in an opening over from Shaheen Shah Afridi that leaked 14 runs.
After living dangerously on a pitch offering bounce, he settled down to bring up a 37th half-century off just 41 balls with a boundary from Faheem Ashraf.
At the other end Khawaja, wearing a black armband in solidarity with the people of Gaza, was happy to play second fiddle, reaching the break on 37.
He had a massive let-off on 25 when dropped by Abdullah Shafique, who fumbled his catch off a mis-hit pull shot.
Pakistan have never won a Test series in Australia and have failed to win a Test in the country since 1995.
They were beaten by an innings in both matches in Australia four years ago, when Warner ominously scored 154 and 335 not out.
Australia made just one change from their last Test, against England in July, with spinner Nathan Lyon fit again and back in the side.
Pacemen Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad made their debuts for Pakistan under new captain Shan Masood.
(With inputs from Agencies)
