Warner dubs first ton at SCG as ‘special’

Spread the love

Sydney, Jan 6 (IANS) Australian opener David Warner smashed his third century of the series against India and dubbed his 101 runs off 118 balls on day one of the fourth and final Test here Tuesday as “special”.

After his twin centuries in Adelaide, the Aussie opening batsman notched up another ton on the first day of the Sydney Test – his 12th overall and first at his home ground, SCG.

“It’s very special. I spoke to the guys the other day that I haven’t scored a hundred at home and that I cannot score runs here,” he said.

“It’s great to finally get there. I have done my job for the team by scoring the runs but the thing I am particularly proud of is putting up a double hundred partnership with Bucky (Chris Rogers). That was highlight for me.”

Rogers had hinted a couple of days ago that the ongoing Test series will be his last at home.

When asked if he thought this would be Rogers’ last Test ever, Warner said he would like his 37-year-old opening partner to finish his Test career with an Ashes win in England.

“Bucky likes to go about things the way he wants to. He would know when his time is up,” Warner said.

“He will finish when he wants to. He has more than 70 first class centuries and over 20,000 runs.”

While Warner got to his century at the SCG, Rogers missed his by five runs. Warner hoped the two unbeaten Aussie batsmen, captain Steven Smith (82 batting) and Shane Watson (61 batting) could get to their three-digit scores on the second day.

He especially wished Watson could score what would be his fifth Test century after a long time.

“He’s trained the house down in the last couple of days,” he said of Watson.

“The amount of effort he puts in training is unbelievable. He is one of the hardest trainers I have seen. I hope both can pile runs tomorrow and put us in a further great position.”

Australia scored 348 runs on the day losing only two wickets and didn’t seem to be in any kind of trouble against the Indian bowlers.

Warner said of India’s bowling, “their heads were down”.

“It was a fantastic toss to win. There was no swing and sideways movement and so it was challenging for their bowlers,” said the explosive opener.

“I think their heads were down. They didn’t get their line and length right. Virat will know how frustrating it is when your bowlers bowl on both sides of the wicket,” he said.


Spread the love