By: Atif Amin TN Sports News:
David Warner became the 10th man in Test history to score a century in his 100th Test, and the second to score a double, ( Joe Root, the only double centurion in his 100th test) breaking a near three-year Test century drought with a rollicking innings against South Africa at the MCG. He is only the 2nd Australian after Ricky Ponting to have achieved this feat. Ricky Ponting scored 100s in each innings of his 100th test against South Africa.
Warner also became only the second player to score a century in both his 100th ODI as well as 100th Test, after Gordon Greenidge, and became the eighth Australian to pass 8000 Test runs during the course of his innings.
Australia began day 2 at 45 for 1 and lost Marnus Labuschangne to a needless run out when the total was 75. That brought Steve Smith to the crease and together they put on 239 runs to bat South Africa out of the match. This was the highest partnership between Warner and Smith. On a track that flattened out beautifully for batting, South Africa’s attack were never in the contest and may have some stern words for their line-up, who wasted the opportunity on the first day.
Anrich Nortje was the most impressive of an energy-sapped pack and kept his pace above 150kph consistently. His fastest ball was clocked at 155kph. He was also the only one to enjoy some reward, when Smith upper cut a short ball to gully. By then, most of the damage was done.
After the fall of Steve Smith, Travis Head joined David Warner and kept scoring quickly. Warner completed his double hundred but had to retire hurt immediately after completing his double hundred due to cramps. As the day ended Australia were in a dominating position at 386 for the loss of 3 wickets, a lead of 197 runs and still 7 wickets in hand.
