- Warner’s century secures Test farewell
- Silences doubters with outstanding performance
- Khawaja’s controversy, Labuschagne’s fall
David Warner’s century against Pakistan in Perth virtually ensures his Test farewell extends to Sydney, silencing doubters.
On Thursday at Optus Stadium, Warner led Australia to a dominant 346-5 at stumps, scoring 164 runs off 211 deliveries.
His 26th Test century was reached in 125 deliveries, and the 37-year-old continued to pile on the misery with an innings that included sixteen fours and four sixes.
Warner (8,631 runs) surpassed both Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke to attain the fifth position on Australia’s all-time Test runs list with the assistance of the innings.
Warner has previously declared his intention to retire following the conclusion of the three-Test series, including matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
However, considering that Warner had scored only one century in tests since January 2020, it wasn’t sure whether his form justified maintaining his position until his upcoming home match at the SCG.
Warner’s Defiant Century Celebration
On Thursday, the seasoned opener decisively dispelled those uncertainties, and his emotions were unrestrained after attaining a century.
In a forceful response to the criticism led by former Test great Mitchell Johnson, Warner executed his signature lunge in the air before placing his glove to his mouth and pointing it towards the media center of the venue.
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“There will inevitably be criticism, but that’s something you have to learn from,” Warner told Fox Cricket about his extraordinary celebration.
A run scored on the board is the most effective method of silencing them. “It feels absolutely fantastic.”
Travis Head (40), Usman Khawaja (41), and Marnus Labuschagne (16) were all unable to continue with the task.
Khawaja and Warner entered the match mired in controversy for distinct motives.
An incendiary column by former Australian paceman Johnson, who claimed the opener did not merit a hero’s farewell due to his poor recent form and involvement in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, sparked public discourse regarding Warner’s position.
However, Warner, previously described as a walking wicket by his former opening partner Ed Cowan, responded flawlessly. He required only 41 deliveries to reach fifty before accelerating to one hundred.
Khawaja’s Gesture, Labuschagne’s Fall
Khawaja’s inscription on his cricket shoes made headlines this week. It said “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal,” referring to the Palestinian humanitarian situation.
International Cricket Council regulations prevented him from donning the shoes for the Test. However, Khawaja, who wore a black armband at Optus Stadium, offered a sincere explanation of his position.
At twenty-one, Khawaja’s innings were over when he lofted a high-arcing one into the atmosphere.
However, while running back with the flight, Abdullah Shafique was humiliated as the ball passed through his hands and rebounded off his torso for a boundary. Shafique was overcome with sunshine in his eyes.
Khawaja’s innings ended following lunch when a fuller delivery from Shaheen Afridi dismissed him.
Following this, Labuschagne was brought down by Faheem Ashraf.
When Khurram Shahzad failed to hold on to a catch above his head at mid-on, Warner was dismissed for 104.
However, by the end of the day, his good fortune ran out when a hook shot off Aamir Jamal (2-63) deflected off the toe of his bat and reached Imam ul-Haq in the deep.
Alex Carey (14 not out) and hometown icon Mitch Marsh (15 not off) will return to the crease on Friday.
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