David Warner broke the record-setting century drought in Test cricket on Tuesday at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, snapping a nearly three-year streak. Warner was able to raise his bat in white attire for the first time since 2020 in the second Test against South Africa, much to the delight of Australians and his countless admirers around the world. Warner’s last century was 111* against New Zealand on January 3, 2020, which came before this one.
With a total of 45 centuries, Warner has recorded the most centuries by an opener record, equalling legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar. He has 25 centuries overall, including 20 in ODIs. 45 of Sachin’s 100 centuries scored as openers. All 42 of the legendary West Indies batter Chris Gayle’s international centuries also hit as an opener.
After his last hundred in 2020, he had trouble maintaining consistency for the following two years. At the end of 2021, he had scored a total of 307 runs over eight innings in five Test matches, averaging 38.37, with two half-centuries and a top score of 95.
His 2022 numbers became even more svelte. Warner had only amassed 371 runs in 10 Tests, a dismal average of 20.61, with two half-centuries prior to this MCG Test.
Warner breaks century drought
He hit three figures in whites for the first time in almost three years in the 45th over of Australia’s first innings, which was bowled by the dangerous Kagiso Rabada. Warner pulled the first delivery of the over to the fine leg for four runs. In his 100th match in the longer format, it was a special day to end the century drought.
Warner now joins a select group of batters who have scored a century in their 100th Test, including Colin Cowdrey of England, Javed Miandad of Pakistan, Gordon Greenidge of the West Indies, Alec Stewart of England, Inzamam-ul-Haq of Pakistan, Ricky Ponting of Australia, Graeme Smith of South Africa, Hashim Amla of South Africa, and Joe Root of England.
Warner also joins Ricky Ponting in a rare list
He also became the second Australian batter to struck a ton in his 100th test after former skipper Ricky Ponting shot two centuries (120 and 143*) versus the Proteas in 2006.
Among active players, Warner also ranks second in terms of the number of centuries in international cricket. Warner is in second place with 45 tonnes, behind top Indian batter Virat Kohli, who has 72 tonnes. With 44 centuries, England’s Root is in third place, while Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith are tied with 41 each.
Talking about the match, Australia are in commanding position after bowling out the South Africa for 189, and extending lead with some superb batting performances from top batters.
