David Warner passes 6000 Test runs and his 21st century puts Australia in control on Boxing Day
DAVID Warner has revealed what ignited the war or words with England paceman Tom Curran as the Aussie opener’s scintillating Boxing Day innings came with an unbelievable twist.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DAVID Warner has revealed how the war of words that followed his explosive 21st career Test century was ignited by England’s debutant, who had earlier embarrassed himself.
The opener joined Australia’s batting greats as he eclipsed the 6000-run barrier at a faster click than anyone bar Sir Donald Bradman, Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, before the tattered relations between the two sides frayed further.
In front of 88,000 spectators at the MCG, Warner should have been out on 99, only for replays to reprieve him after 22-year-old Englishman Tom Curran was embarrassingly sprung for a front-foot no ball.
DRAMA: WARNER CENTURY A ‘WHERE WERE YOU WHEN’ MOMENT
VIDEO: WARNER GIVES IT TO CURRAN AFTER NO BALL
TOUGH DAY: QUESTIONS REMAIN FOR BANCROFT
Warner brought up three figures from the next ball and celebrated with high emotion.
Despite himself being the Christmas turkey in front of a packed MCG, Curran had a crack at Warner at the end of the over.
The vice-captain unleashed a withering verbal spray at Curran and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who also had a word.
England spearhead Jimmy Anderson denied dobbing on Warner to the umpires following the exchange and both teams said the incident had not crossed the line.
Tensions remain at breaking point as Warner’s scintillating knock and another looming Steve Smith (65 not out) masterclass helped Australia ride out a topsy-turvy day one to be 3-244 at stumps.
“It was just one of those things where the bowler is obviously going to be annoyed that he overstepped the mark and he obviously could have had me out,” Warner said.
LISTEN! The Daily Telegraph’s chief cricket writer Ben Horne gives his assessment of the first day’s play of the Boxing Day Ashes Test.
Subscribe to CRICKET UNFILTERED podcast from the iTunes store
“He muttered something and then I didn’t let it go.
“I had to bite back as I normally do. All that is on the field and that’s always going to come with a game of cricket. It’s what it is and if he comes out to bat, I might start going.
“It’s an Ashes series. There’s always going to be that niggle and banter out there.
“We always talk about not crossing that line. So far this series it’s been played in the right spirits. There was maybe one occasion where it’s probably gone a little bit too far (sledging of Bairstow in Brisbane).”
Smith can join elite company by making a third century in an Ashes series today, after he batted superbly with Shaun Marsh (31 not out) despite battling a hand injury.
Warner (103) has as many Test centuries (21) as dashing left-hand stroke player Neil Harvey and fellow top order statesman David Boon.
His 100th run brought up 6000 career runs, an extraordinary feat achieved in just 129 innings. He’s almost in a league of his own, outside of Bradman, Ponting, Hayden and Greg Chappell, who also reached 6000 runs in the same number of knocks.
Warner was filthy with himself for popping one up on 99 after he became uncharacteristically bogged down in the 90s.
But otherwise his ton was faultless as he motored along to a 130-ball hundred.
Warner hasn’t scored at the same unstoppable strike rate this Ashes series as has been the trademark of his career, but he freed up his arms and returned to his best as he smashed a second Boxing Day ton in as many years.
After crushing his demons against spin in Bangladesh earlier this year, Warner believes he can finish this series with a bang.
“It’s been one of those years,’’ he said.
“But hopefully I can finish off next innings and then in Sydney again with a hundred like I did this year.”