David Warner’s Boxing Day century will go down in Ashes history as a ‘where were you when’ moment

IT’S the most dramatic Test century we’ve seen in years, and one we will never forget. David Warner breaking through for his first 100 of the Ashes series is one for the history books.

4th Ashes test. Australia vs England at the MCG. David Warner celebrates reaching 100 runs .Pic: Michael Klein

IT had to be the day Bill Lawry returned to the commentary box at the MCG.

For a brief but fantastic period it was absolutely “all happening”.

Smack bang in the middle of the madness was David Warner, out for 99, then not out for 100, all in the space of two memorable balls that will live forever in Ashes infamy.

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Add he was in the verbal stoush that followed too, Warner refusing to hold back as the enemy attacked.

It all made for a massive couple of minutes that pointed to the series being dead in numbers only.

Word from the Aussie camp before the Boxing Day Test was the “Bull” was back.

Australia's David Warner celebrates scoring a century against England

Warner’s alter-ego, the more cautious “Reverend”, who had plodded rather than pounded away through the opening three Ashes Tests had been sent on holiday with the urn secured.

Constant nagging from the English camp, about this and that and bouncers and bowling depth had got to Warner. He wanted to get at them.

So in glorious sunshine, on a pitch flat as a suburban driveway, Warner feasted. He hit the first boundary of the game in the third over and in the second hour of play, upped the ante.

He smashed woeful English spinner Moeen Ali for six in the final over before lunch and went to eat not out on 83. A second successive Boxing Day Test century beckoned.

But after the break, the tap was turned off. Nearly an hour passed and he was still in the 90s. Warner pushed a single to get to 99, and brought up his 6000th Test run.

The scoreboard though, which usually does, didn’t flash it up for recognition. Just waiting.

Then the crowd clap was loud as first-gamer Tom Curran charged in from the members end to Warner with a run to go.

Curran banged it in to the rock hard pitch, it rose on the Aussie opener who tried to bunt it to the leg side. But it hit the edge of the bat, went up in the air, and landed in Stuart Broad’s hands at mid-on.

Tom Curran can’t believe his misfortune after his no-ball gave David Warner a reprieve on 99. Picture: AFP

No way. Warner was out for 99. But only briefly.

As he got half way off the field, having punched his bat and cursed himself, the scoreboard delivered the good news. It was a front-foot no ball.

No way. Warner was not out for 99. Curran was denied his first ever Test wicket.

The very next ball, Warner tucked one off his legs, got his-single, and his century, and celebrated like he’d made 1000.

Go daddy!!! #100 #Barmyarmy pic.twitter.com/M1rRIKV70d

— Candice Warner (@CandyFalzon) December 26, 2017

4th Ashes test. Australia vs. England at the MCG. David Warner celebrates reaching 100 runs. Picture: Michael Klein

There was his customary leap, helmet in hand, then a fist pump with his helmet, then a pump with his bat.

He roared “C’mon”, kissed the badge on helmet, kissed his bat, pointed his bat to the rooms, put both arms in the air.

It went on and on and Lawry loved it.

“It will be talked about, that dismissal, forever! It was one of those moments. I was at the MCG when Warner was out and what a shocking shot it was. And then all of a sudden, not out,” Lawry said on Channel Nine.

But Warner didn’t celebrate with a smile. He did it with a snarl. Warner ripped the English for whingeing before the game, and clearly has little time for Jimmy Anderson. And it showed.

Things were tense, and the Bull let Curran, who had a snip himself, know all about it. Then Jonny Bairstow copped a serve when he ran past, Anderson too.

After drinks Anderson got Warner out for 103, Bairstow took the catch too, but the English celebrations were a bit more subdued.

And Warner trudged from the field slowly, stewing no doubt, just thinking about what the Bull may do when he comes out to field.

He isn’t finished yet.

Originally published as David Warner’s Boxing Day century will go down in Ashes history as a ‘where were you when’ moment