Relief for Warner as luck turns his way

Following a disappointing Test series and a lean patch with the bat throughout the Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, Australia opener David Warner says relief was the overriding emotion when he posted a match-winning hundred in the fifth and final one-day international at Pallekele Stadium last night.

Report & Highlights: Warner ton secures 4-1 series win

Even if there was a slice of luck involved.

Warner admitted in his post-match press conference that he may have got away with a dismissal when on 22 in Australia’s pursuit of 196 to take the series 4-1.

Australia’s stand-in skipper attempted a paddle sweep off Sachith Pathirana’s first delivery of the 14th over, but it only went as far as leg slip.

The appeal for a catch quickly followed, but it was turned down and the home side opted not to utilise their remaining successful review.

Australia were just 2-44 at the time with Aaron Finch – Warner’s usual opening partner – sitting out the action with what would later be revealed to be a fractured right index finger.

Quick Single: Double injury blow to the Australians

Replays suggested the ball may have just glanced the enormous edge of Warner’s Kaboom bat as the opener pushed on to a 126-ball knock of 106, including nine boundaries.

"It was a semi appeal," Warner said after play.

"The bowler came up to me and said ‘lucky, you hit that one’ and I said 'Yeah, I think I did'.

"I wasn’t 100 per cent. The ‘keeper thought I didn’t hit it. I think there was a faint edge. That’s the luck.

"The responsibility is on the players as well, they’ve got to make that decision to either use a referral or not. They still had it up their sleeve."

As he brought up his seventh ODI century from 111 balls, Warner offered a rather subdued celebration to the Toyota-esque ‘Oh What a Feeling’ jumps that have become somewhat of summer staple.

In the reaching the milestone late last night, Warner became the first Australian to post an ODI century in Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous highest score on the island nation by fellow left-hander Mark Taylor when he produced 94 in 1992.

"It’s great to get a hundred, but for me it was a bit of a sigh of relief,” Warner said.

"I never doubt myself and I haven’t doubted myself.

"You do need a bit of a luck in this game and I’m pretty sure I did hit that one to short leg tonight, but that’s part and parcel of this game.

"You get a bit of luck your way and fortunately tonight I got that luck."

While Warner managed starts of 42, 41 and 68 during the Test series, his output in the other three innings brought his series average crashing back to 27.17 in the difficult conditions.

As Australia search for answers to the subcontinental woes leading into the much-anticipated four-Test tour of India earlier next year, their permanent vice-captain believes playing with the intent of scoring is crucial for success in this part of the world.

"When we’re at home, we always have that intent to score,” Warner said of the key differences between the Tests and ODIs.

"That’s when our boys are playing our best. If you face six balls in these conditions, then one is going to have your name in it.

"In these conditions you’re going to have to sweep, you need to use your feet, you’re going to have to watch the ball hard onto the bat where you can’t leave the ball because one is going to skid on.

"They’re the variables in this game and I think that’s where we lacked a little bit. We didn’t adapt fast enough."

Warner and the Australians will have two more opportunities to impress when the T20s begin in Pallekele tomorrow night from 11:30pm AEST, before returning to Colombo for the final match of the tour at R. Premadasa Stadium.