Cricket
Warner's 103 helped drive Australia to 244 for three at stumps on day one of the fourth Ashes Test, a position of strength after skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat on a slow, flat wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Updated : Dec 26, 2017, 01:34 PM IST
Opening batsman David Warner enjoyed a gift-wrapped century after being reprieved on 99 as Australia endured a meandering first day of the Boxing Day Test against England on Tuesday.
Warner was caught at mid-on on the cusp of his 21st Test hundred and first of the ongoing Ashes but the wicket was cancelled to the delight of a festive Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) when the replay showed England's debutant paceman Tom Curran had overstepped.
The home vice captain was unable to cash in, but his 103 helped drive Australia to 244 for three at stumps, a position of strength after skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat on a slow, flat wicket. Smith's brilliant series continued, the Australian captain 65 not out at the close, with Shaun Marsh also unbeaten on 31.
The pair steered Australia to safety with an unbroken partnership of 84 after Stuart Broad ended a 70-over wicket drought to have Usman Khawaja caught behind for 17. Smith now remains unbeaten in three consecutive Boxing Day Tests, having scored a total of 434 runs in matches against West Indies, Pakistan and now England.
Australia reclaimed the Ashes in the third Test in Perth and hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series but 88,172 spectators packed the MCG to witness a peculiar day's play. After Warner and fellow opener Cameron Bancroft piled on 102 runs to lunch, Australia added only 43 in the second session as England rallied with two wickets in brilliant sunshine.
All-rounder Chris Woakes broke Warner and Bancroft's 122-run partnership by having Bancroft lbw for 26. Warner was caught on 99 just before the drinks break, a clumsy pull-shot off Curran's no-ball lobbing to Broad at mid-on. He raised his hundred with a single on the next ball and celebrated with his customary running jump and fist-pump before offering Curran some choice words, angering England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
After dismissing Khawaja, Broad very nearly captured a second wicket on the next ball, trapping new batsman Marsh in front but the lbw appeal was turned down. Root reviewed the decision but the decision remained the umpire's call, with the tracking technology showing it clipping off the bails. Marsh survived another big shout for lbw but England's brief moment of ascendancy disappeared as the left-hander bunkered down with Smith.
Smith raised his 22nd Test half-century by driving part-time spinner Dawid Malan for two runs through the covers. Australia made one change to their side, with right-arm pace bowler Jackson Bird coming in for injured left-armer Mitchell Starc. England also made one change to the side that lost by an innings and 41 runs in Perth with Surrey seamer Curran replacing Craig Overton who was ruled out with a broken rib.
Happy Boxing Day!!!!! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KXJna5x0Cx
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2017
Thoughts on the pitch? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/pnJrqjjbue
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2017
Former England quick Bob Willis hands Tom Curran is first Test cap. Always a special moment #Ashes pic.twitter.com/O8Z3uj31Y8
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2017
Anticipation!!! #Ashes2017 #Cricket #CricketCountdown #BoxingDay pic.twitter.com/E6ONjLu6QH
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) December 25, 2017
Steve Smith has won the toss and Australia will bat first #Ashes pic.twitter.com/vkq45xAozo
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2017
Almost anthem time #Ashes pic.twitter.com/cJwm1asQPV
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2017
Just a push down the ground from Warner for the first boundary of the day! https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/XLYpgHStMm
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 25, 2017
The Australian players are wearing black armbands today in memory of Thomas Maggs, Tim Paine's father-in-law, who passed away on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/gNbI5OKJZs
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
SHOT! Warner crunches one to the boundary: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/niix0fLkVg
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Australia 0-37 at the first drinks break as the massive crowd continues to build this morning: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/noh9Biicld
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
WHACK! Warner sends that racing to the boundary for four more: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/qIYF7zWd8x
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
FIFTY! David Warner cruises to a half-century off 64 balls and the Aussie opener looks in ominous touch today... https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/cdNtfxSAOM
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
David Warner brings up his half-century in style! #MagellanMilestones pic.twitter.com/dMHVd052PW
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
A lovely shot from David Warner and we have special comments from @RealHughJackman in the comm box! https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/vzN8GJl9XX
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Warner into the nineties...
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Live coverage here: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/t1oe1HZIKS
A wicket! Khawaja to the crease with Warner 96*.
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Live video, radio, scores and more: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/QsYOBJbkXz
Plenty of drama to get there, but what a moment for David Warner! #MagellanMilestones pic.twitter.com/pQuRiFFtgA
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Classic Bill #Ashes pic.twitter.com/Pbpckq9ptc
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
A classic Boxing Day moment! Just wait for the reaction to the replay on the big screen... #Ashes @MastercardAU #MastercardMoment pic.twitter.com/05b5OSbXtU
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Skipper Smith is away in the final session: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/oHk2MbEvmt
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Quality shot from Shaun Marsh for his first boundary of the afternoon: https://t.co/osnYPjcpzQ #Ashes pic.twitter.com/eeFXdmCGgr
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
Just another day at the office for the Aussie skipper #ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/hBwOSz9EIZ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
A tremendous crowd of 88,172 for day one of the Boxing Day Test! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ZHa0AUZUEO
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
A solid commentary effort by @RealHughJackman, but he certainly had some strong feedback from the @triplemcricket team! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/0VKyKolawQ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 26, 2017
(Inputs from Reuters)