On the opening day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Perth, David Warner showcased his cricket prowess by notching up his 26th Test century in a mere 125 balls. The century-sealing shot, a boundary-punch, was followed by his trademark celebratory leap, culminating in a provocative finger-to-lips gesture, seemingly aimed at silencing his critics.
🤫#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/pzraWkHmIa
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 14, 2023
The cricketing maestro, who has been under scrutiny since expressing his desire for a farewell Test, faced harsh criticism from former teammate Mitchell Johnson in an Australian newspaper. Undeterred, Warner unleashed a formidable assault on the Pakistani bowlers, reaching his half-century in just 41 balls and concluding the first session with an unbeaten 72 off 67 deliveries.
Teaming up with Usman Khawaja, Warner dominated from the first over, amassing 14 runs against Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, it was in the 22nd over that Warner’s audacious scoop shot, a six over fine leg, stole the spotlight. Despite falling flat on his back during the shot, Warner sported a smirk as he rose, leaving Afridi in awe at the top of his run-up.
Throughout the session, Warner strategically targeted Shaheen, hitting back-to-back boundaries in the seventh over. With retirement on the horizon after this series, Warner’s exceptional performance in the first innings positions him strongly for the upcoming Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His public declaration of a farewell Test in Sydney drew criticism from Johnson, who questioned the privilege afforded to a player involved in the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal, pondering why such a controversial figure merits a hero’s send-off. As Warner gears up for his last Tests, the cricketing realm stays captivated by the blend of his unparalleled skill and the lingering controversy surrounding him.
Tired of the conventional, David Warner’s 12th boundary of the first session was nothing short of inventive! 😯#AUSvPAK @nrmainsurance #PlayOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/8ih9vnjhUj
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2023
Avinash Poojari is the owner of ComClone News website. He is an accomplished author specializing in the field of information technology. With a Master’s degree in Information Technology, Avinash hails from Mumbai. Passionate about researching breaking news, he is dedicated to providing accurate and up-to-date information to his readers.