David Warner has defied his critics yet again, smacking a 26th Test century against Pakistan’s toothless bowlers as Australia seized control of the series opener in Perth.
With Mitchell Johnson watching on from the commentary box, Warner scored a classy 164 at Perth Stadium on Thursday, guiding the hosts towards 5-346 at stumps to ensure his Test career ends with an SCG swan song.
The 37-year-old feasted on Pakistan’s wayward bowling in front of 15,671 fans, clobbering 16 boundaries and four sixes in a swashbuckling knock. He formed a 126-run opening partnership with Usman Khawaja before combining with Steve Smith and Travis Head for fifty-run stands later in the afternoon.
“I think where we finished was probably around par, minus one wicket,” Warner told reporters in the post-match press conference.
“We had a few starts, a lot of the other guys would have liked to go on, but we’re in a good position on that wicket.”
Warner now boasts more Test runs than modern greats Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke, making him Australia’s fifth-leading run-scorer in the format’s history.