Quantcast

Warner tames turning deck with terrific ton

Australia's dynamic opener banishes his Asian demons with a stirring hundred on day four in Dhaka

Vice-captain David Warner conquered his spin demons with a drought-breaking century in Australia's nail-biting first Test defeat against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

After resuming on 75 on day four with Australia still 155 runs away from victory, Warner brought up his first Test century away from home in nearly three years off just 121 balls (only four of which were bowled by a paceman) and in only 148 minutes.

It had been 34 innings since he'd struck 133 against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates on Australia's 2014 tour and his century in Mirpur is undoubtedly up there alongside his finest for Australia, despite the bittersweet tinge it will forever carry due to the capitulation that followed.

The left-hander started his knock on day three strongly with two boundaries off the first over of the innings but he soon lost opener Matthew Renshaw and first drop Usman Khawaja, as it became clear the tourists' fortunes would swing very much in line with his own.

Day three wrap: Warner has Aussies well placed

He moved to 90 with a glorious sweep off  left-arm spinner Taijul Islam to bisect the two fielders placed for that exact shot, and found himself one mighty blow away from triple figures when he cover drove the following delivery to the boundary, before his third four of the over saw him reach 98.

The 30-year-old survived a huge scare the following over when another attempted sweep was well caught by 'keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, with Bangladesh launching a confident appeal that was ultimately denied.

The decision was sent upstairs, but replays showed it had grazed only his pad on the way through to Mushfiqur, and an over later he punched Taijul through cover and high-fived captain Steve Smith as he rounded for his second run.

In true Warner fashion, he pulled out his trademark leaping celebration to the applause of his delighted teammates in the dressing room, and shared an extended embrace with Smith before resuming his knock as Australia attempted to pull off their second-highest ever fourth-innings chase on the subcontinent.

But his stay at the crease lasted just 14 more deliveries before he was struck on the pads by Shakib Al Hasan, with Warner's referral upstairs unable to save him as he departed for 112.

The knock sees Warner join fellow Australia left-handers Mark Taylor and Michael Hussey on 19 Test centuries, while he is now three hundreds away from breaking into the top-10 most prolific Australian century-makers.

After Warner's game-changing knock on day three, fast bowler Pat Cummins revealed his original nickname of 'The Bull' had formed the basis of a key element in Australia's batting plan for the subcontinent.

Hazlewood injured as Tigers' lead grows

"It was amazing. He’s such a big player for us and you could just see it in his eye when he was out there," Cummins said.

"He was so focused. We always say ‘be the bull’ and he looked like he was ‘The Bull’ out there. Just focused and taking the game on. 

"He got his 50 rapidly (off 64 balls) and I think it just changes the whole momentum but also the mindset for the other batsmen who are to come in, just taking the game on. 

"It is great."

While Warner's record at home is imposing (a batting average of 59.21 with 14 hundreds), his Test returns abroad have been the only real knock on his game in any format.

Cummins said Warner had benefited from a team strategy to not overhaul any approach that has been successful on home soil.

"We spoke about, especially in the India series (earlier this year) and again here, really backing what works for you back in Australia," the speedster said.

"So, if you don’t run down the wicket, you don’t have to run down the wicket here. If you don’t sweep, you don’t have to sweep. 

"Just sticking to your game plan but making sure it is a strong game plan. I think today (Warner) showed just a really, really strong solid defence and when he needed to, his brutal stroke making.

"So it is definitely 'The Bull' we have come to expect and it is great to see it out here."

Australia in Bangladesh 2017

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade.

Bangladesh squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Liton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mominul Haque.


27-31 August First Test, Dhaka


4-8 September Second Test, Chittagong