Warner’s 26th Test ton sets up dominant opening day for Australia
David Warner wrote another highlight in his fairytale career, registering his 26th Test ton coming on the back of questions being raised on his position. Warner did the answering with the bat in typically aggressive fashion on the first day in Perth, leaving Pakistan scrambling to save face early in the day before finding their feet. Warner got to his milestone as the Tea break approached and ensured that even an improved bowling effort did not bring Pakistan back in the game. Warner had lost his opening partner Usman Khawaja early in the session with Shaheen Afridi having him caught behind for 41, ending a 126-run stand. Not long after, Faheem Ashraf struck getting Marnus Labuschagne LBW with one nipping in slightly. These came in Pakistan’s best bowling phase of the day as they improved their lengths, managing to keep the scoring rate also in check. Warner managed to see through this period even if it meant slowing down, but got to the milestone with a cut boundary off the 125th ball he faced. Warner was helped along with a free-flowing Steve Smith at the other end, as he cashed in on some undisciplined lengths from Pakistan. Early in the third session, Khurram Shehzad picked his maiden Test wicket as he had Smith caught behind but Warner was now joined by the in-form Travis Head who walked out to a warm welcome. He took up the mantle of scoring in a 66-run stand with Warner, scoring 40 before falling prey to Pakistan’s short-ball ploy. While Head was out caught at third man, Warner too took on the ploy, hooking a six and being adventurous. He went past 150 in the process before finally holing out, attempting a pull to debutant Aamer Jamal. His 164 had glued the innings together, and ensured that Australia did not fall back even when Pakistan improved through the day, and was a direct result of the near-perfect session Australia had in the morning. Having opted to bat, Australia were barely in any discomfort right through with Shaheen Afridi not finding his rhythm with the new ball. While debutant Khurram Shahzad strung together a few tight overs, Afridi was guilty of spraying the ball in pursuit of wickets. This allowed an eager Warner to kickstart his final Test series just the way he wanted with plenty of boundaries for the taking. Warner, on his part, did a good job of attacking and keeping the pressure on the bowlers. He raced away to his 37th Test fifty, hitting three fours in a Faheem Ashraf over. Coming off only 41 balls, it enabled Australia to dictate the shots. Providing the ideal foil for Warner’s belligerence was a calm Usman Khawaja who did not get fazed despite the dot balls building up. He was lucky to survive on 21 when Abdullah Shafique messed up a high catch running back from the slip cordon. Shaheen Afridi on his return spell had an LBW review turned down against Warner, who in turn upped the ante with an audacious scoop off a length ball for a six, and setting the tone for the day where the focus was trained on his batting prowess. Brief Scores:
Australia 346/5 (David Warner 164, Usman Khawaja 41, Travis Head 40; Aamer Jamal 2-63) vs Pakistan
