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David Warner smashes brilliant century in build-up to his Swansong. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor)
David Warner smashed his way to a memorable 164 as he planned to make his retirement etched with lingering memories of a glittering career for Australia.
The dashing left hander was all class and composure as he crafted a important start to the Summer which put Australia in the box seat at the end of day one with an imposing 346 for 5 wickets and a huge psychological advantage over Pakistan on a challenging Perth track.
Pat Cummins won the important toss and elected to bat in what could well be decisive to Australia’s fortunes.
Warner and Usman Khawaja played the track to near perfection while surviving a few scares as Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal troubled Australia’s openers but let them off the hook with dropped chances and field placements not ideal early in the innings.
They took full advantage of their chances racing to another century stand as Pakistan were left to regret the squandered opportunities.
Warner, (164), and Khawaja (41), plundered 126 for the opening dig at a steady pace before the stand was broken. But Travis Head, (40), continued the onslaught with Warner to set up a first day dominance that will be pivotal to Australia’s hopes of gaining an advantage in the series.
The fast paced track was cleverly negotiated by Australia’s batsmen who went in with a well orchestrated plan.
An imposing total appears to suggest an early finish to the Test if Pakistan falter against Australia’s lethal pace spin combination in familiar conditions.
Pakistan’s pace trio grabbed four of the five wickets to fall giving them some hope of competing if they can get through Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey and the tail very quickly.
The outcome now rests on how Pakistan’s batsmen handle the conditions in alien conditions.
Australia’s pace attack could well unsettle them
