New Delhi:
Before the start of the home series against Pakistan, David Warner was under immense pressure after managing just 95 runs in five Tests against England in the Ashes. In the Sheffield Shield, Warner showed glimpses of his form and he was desperate to show his class at the top of the order for Australia. However, two Tests later, Warner has brushed away the horror of the Ashes in grand style and scored back-to-back centuries to once again cement his reputation as one of the best players in the Australian cricket team.
Following his magnificent century in the first Test in Brisbane, Warner backed it up with a brilliant century in the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide. Warner notched up his 23rd century and his fifth against Pakistan as his average against them neared 90. In fact, Warner has been undergoing a purple patch against Pakistan in the last couple of years. After scoring 133 against them in the UAE, Warner had a lean run but he smashed 144 in Melbourne in 2016 and followed it up with a century before lunch in Sydney in 2019.
Warner's tally of five centuries against one opposition is the most in his career while his 23rd ton as an opener is the second-best for Australia behind Matthew Hayden's 30 centuries while opening the batting. The left-hander's fifth ton against Pakistan put him on level terms with Ricky Ponting while he is one century away from equalling the mark of six set by Allan Border and Greg Chappell.
Australia chose to bat on a green deck in Adelaide and they lost Joe Burns cheaply when the batsman poked a good length awayswinger from Shaheen Afridi to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Warner, though, looked good at the other end and got off the mark with a boundary off Mohammad Abbas. Warner was well supported by Marnus Labuschagne but the left-hander was in great touch, smashing debutant Muhammad Musa for two boundaries. Warner continued to target Musa but play was halted for an hour after the tea break due to rain. Following the delay, both players grew in confidence.
Also Read | In England, Players Use David Warner's Name To Spike Book Sales: Tim Paine Criticises Ben Stokes
Warner reached his fifty in streaky style when an overthrow resulted in six runs. Labuschagne notched up his half century with a couple of boundaries off Musa and Yasir Shah as Pakistan struggled. After the dinner break, Warner continued to find the boundary on a regular basis and he reached his century with a tap to backward point. Pakistan have lost 13 consecutive Tests in Australia since 1999 and they will be hoping to avoid the world record for most losses in a single country.
