Runs and a run-in for Warner dig
DAVID Warner last night revealed how the war of words that followed his explosive 21st career Test century was bizarrely sparked by England’s red-faced debutant.
The Australian opener stormed into the hall of fame of the country’s all-time batting greats as he eclipsed the 6000-run barrier at a faster click than anyone bar Sir Donald Bradman, Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, before the already tattered relations between the two Ashes combatants had its most inexplicable episode.
On a theatrical day at the MCG in front of 88,000, Warner should have been out on 99 only for replays to bring him back from the dead after 22-year-old Englishman Tom Curran was embarrassingly sprung for a front foot no-ball.
Warner duly brought up three figures from the very next ball and launched into an emotion-charged celebration.
Despite casting himself as the Christmas turkey in front of a packed MCG, Curran lived up to his chirpy reputation in English county cricket by having a crack at Warner at the end of the over.
The Australian vice-captain didn’t need a second invitation and unleashed a withering verbal spray on Curran and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who also had a word as he passed by. England spearhead Jimmy Anderson denied dobbing on Warner to the umpires following the exchange, and post-match both teams stressed the incident had not crossed the line.
There is no love lost between the sides and tensions remain at breaking point as Warner’s knock and another looming Steve Smith (65 not out) masterclass helped Australia ride out a topsy-turvy day one to be 3-244 at stumps.
“It was just one of those things where the bowler is obviously going to be annoyed that he overstepped the mark and he obviously could have had me out,” Warner said.
“He muttered something and then I didn’t let it go.
“Obviously I had to bite back as I normally do.
“All that is on the field and that’s always going to come with a game of cricket. It is what it is and if he comes out to bat I might start going.
“It’s an Ashes series. “There’s always going to be that niggle and banter when you’re out there.
“Obviously we always talk about not crossing that line.
“So far this series it’s been played in the right spirits. There was maybe one occasion where it’s probably gone a little bit too far (sledging of Bairstow in Brisbane).”
Smith can join elite company by making a third century in an Ashes series today, after he batted superbly with Shaun Marsh (31 not out) despite battling a hand injury.
Warner (103) now has as many Test centuries (21) as another dashing left-hand strokeplayer Neil Harvey and fellow top order statesman David Boon. His 100th run brought up 6000 career runs, an extraordinary feat he has managed in just 129 innings: a league almost in his own, outside of Bradman, Ponting, Hayden and Greg Chappell, who also did it in the same number of knocks.
“It’s a remarkable conversion rate for a batsman who is so aggressive,” said Michael Slater on Nine.
“Normally the more aggressive you are the more opportunities you give.”
Warner was filthy with himself for popping one up on 99, after he became uncharacteristically bogged down in the 90s. But otherwise his ton was faultless as he motored to three figures in just 130 balls.
Warner hasn’t scored at the same unstoppable strike rate this Ashes series as has been the trademark of his career, but yesterday he freed his arms and returned to his best as he smashed a second Boxing Day ton in as many years.
After crushing his demons against spin in Bangladesh earlier this year, Warner believes that he can finish this series with a bang.
“For me obviously it’s been a little bit up and down, and my form has been a little inconsistent,” he said.
“Leading into this game I’d been hitting the ball extremely well … we all wish we were half the batter Steve Smith is at the moment because he’s seeing them like watermelons, but he makes the game looks so easy.”