David Warner scores first century after a year-long ban

BRISBANE: Australia opener David Warner enjoyed a measure of redemption as he scored his first Test century since a year-long ban for ball-tampering on Friday.

Warner, who managed just 95 runs in 10 innings during this year’s Ashes series against England, reached his 22nd Test century in the first Test against Pakistan.

Before the Ashes, he spent a year in the wilderness following the ball-tampering scandal and there were questions as to whether his days as an automatic choice at the top of the order were over.

But in home conditions and against an attack that struggled for sideways movement, Warner was in imperious form, smashing seven fours as he reached his century from 180 balls by turning leg spinner Yasir Shah round the corner for a single.

Read More: Australia dismiss Pakistan for 240 in Brisbane Test

After a cautious start, he looked more and more comfortable as the session wore on, using his feet well and playing with his customary aggression. He was well supported by Burns, who was brought back into the Australian team after missing the Ashes tour.

The 33-year-old had his share of luck, however, when he was given out caught behind off the bowling of 16-year-old Naseem Shah when he was on 56.

However, Warner had barely left the crease when the TV umpire ruled Naseem had overstepped the line and the batsman was given a reprieve.

Then, on 93, he survived a close run-out decision when a direct hit from the deep saw him just making his ground.

Read Also: Pakistan is capable of winning against Australia: Azhar Ali

It is Warner’s first Test century in nearly two years, since the Boxing Day test against England in 2017, and his fourth against Pakistan.

Openers Warner and Joe Burns dominated the Pakistan attack despite a fiery debut from Naseem and were 220 for none by late afternoon, in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 240 at the Gabba ground in Brisbane.

The pair were largely untroubled throughout the session, scoring at just over four runs an over on a morning when the Pakistan bowlers could get neither swing nor spin.

Naseem looked like he belonged on the big stage with a bristling first spell in Test cricket.

But while he regularly reached speeds of over 145 kilometres per hour, the lack of movement meant Warner and Burns were able to play him with relative ease, although he smashed Burns on the elbow two balls before the lunch break.