David Warner joins Don Bradman with Test century before lunch

David Warner became the first Australian since Don Bradman to make a century in the opening session on the first day, and the only person to achieve the feat during a Test match in Australia.

Published : Jan 03, 2017 13:36 IST , Sydney

David Warner's knock eclipsed his previous fastest century at the SCG — off 82 balls in last year's Test against the West Indies.
David Warner's knock eclipsed his previous fastest century at the SCG — off 82 balls in last year's Test against the West Indies.
lightbox-info

David Warner's knock eclipsed his previous fastest century at the SCG — off 82 balls in last year's Test against the West Indies.

David Warner said he was honoured to join the likes of Sir Donald Bradman after smashing a whirlwind century before lunch in the third Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.

The left-hander slammed his >18th Test hundred and third at the Sydney Cricket Ground off 78 balls to reach three figures in just 117 minutes with 17 fours.

Warner became the first Australian since Bradman to make a century in the opening session on the first day, and the only person to achieve the feat during a Test match in Australia.

Bradman accomplished the feat 87-years-ago. The legendary Australian batsman was the last to do so with 105 in Leeds in 1930 on his way to 334, with fellow Australians Victor Trumper hitting 103 in Manchester in 1902 and Charlie Macartney scoring 112 at Leeds in 1926 .

Read:>Warner delighted to join exclusive Test club

"That's obviously an honour and privilege to be amongst the greats of the game," Warner said.

"It's great to be out there with those guys. Hopefully I can continue with that great start and positive approach."

The only other player to post a century before lunch on the first day of a Test was Pakistan's Majid Khan (108) against New Zealand in Karachi in 1976.

Warner's knock eclipsed his previous fastest century at the SCG — off 82 balls in last year's Test against the West Indies. Warner said reaching three figures before lunch was not paramount, but that he felt the adrenalin rising as the century drew closer.

"It wasn't nerve-racking. I told the youngster (Renshaw) with a couple of minutes to go we have to knuckle down and get through to lunch and be patient," he said.

"Obviously as a batsman when the adrenalin is pumping and you know it's around the corner you are probably always going to have a dig."

Warner was finally out 20 minutes after lunch, caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed off Wahab Riaz for 113 off 95 balls with 17 fours. Vice-captain Warner has now scored 5,206 runs in 60 Tests at an average of 49.11.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment