Warner, Head smash partnership records

David Warner and Travis Head could well be Australia’s long-term opening partnership after they smashed several national ODI records against Pakistan in Adelaide.

The pair combined to score 284 on Thursday, the second-highest first-wicket partnership in ODI history, just two runs short of the world record posted by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Upal Tharanga in July 2006 against England.

Quick Single: Warner lifts Aussies to 7-369

Warner and Head blitzed past Australia’s best opening stand of 246 set by Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh against Scotland in 2013 and also toppled the country’s overall highest stand of 260, which was set by Warner and his captain Steve Smith against Afghanistan at the WACA Ground in the 2015 World Cup.

The incredible partnership, which ended in the 42nd over when Warner was out for a career-high 179, is comfortably the highest for any wicket against Pakistan, with the previous best of 248 by England duo Alex Hales and Joe Root in August last year now a distant memory.

Warner was on track to become the first Australian in ODI history to score a double century before he fell 21 runs short of the mark when he was caught at backward point, and was just six runs shy of equalling Shane Watson’s 185no as the highest individual score by an Australian.

The dynamic left-hander clocked 19 fours and five sixes in his 128-ball innings and was ably supported by hometown hero Head.

Head, at 23 and 28 days, became the third-fastest Australian to score a maiden ODI century behind Ricky Ponting (21 years and 21 days) and Steve Smith (21y 118d, not the current Australia captain).

Head finished on 128 from 137 balls with nine fours and three sixes as Australia posted 7-369 from their 50 overs.