With his place assured and critics answered, David Warner could rack up some big numbers against Pakistan

David Warner now averages 144 against Pakistan in Australia and could fill his boots, with one more major record to secure in his farewell tour.

Veteran Test opener David Warner could be in for a farewell tour fill-up of runs with the distraction of commentary over his place in the side, and his war of words with Mitchell Johnson, now cast aside after his day-one heroics in Perth.

Warner now needs just 13 runs to become Australia’s highest-scoring Test opener having moved to fifth all time among Australian Test run scorers, past Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden, with his innings of 164.

Already with a home batting average against Pakistan of 144, and amid questions about Pakistan’s rookie pace attack, the prospect looms large for Warner to take his career Test haul close to 9000 runs before he hangs up his baggy green at the SCG, his fairytale farewell now assured.

David Warner is going out with a bang. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

With 8651 runs to his name now, Warner is on the heels of Indian superstar Virat Kohli (8676) and could even reach South African gun AB de Villiers (8765) before the series is over.

Warner sits 24th on the all-time Test run-scoring list and could climb to within touching distance of the top 20, securing his status among the best to ever play.

“He didn’t need any more motivation,” said teammate Travis Head, who put on 66 runs with Warner on Thursday.

“He got that, which is always nice when you know you’ve got a bloke who gets up for the contest when he’s questioned.”

Test captain Pat Cummins said the Perth innings “sets up the summer beautifully” for Warner.

“I think he’s always looking for something to get himself up and he doesn’t need to look too far sometimes,” Cummins said.

“You see him go back to his aggressive self. I think that’s when he’s playing at his best. That’s what we always try to encourage him to do. I think it really focuses him when he is under a bit of scrutiny.”

Warner took the Pakistan attack to task. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

In the wake of his day-one heroics, Warner revealed it was his intent to “put a bit of pressure” on the two first-gamers in the Pakistan bowling line-up and he reaped the results.

The innings also served to boost his confidence, knowing he has two more matches to fill his boots further.

“I thought we were able to put a bit of pressure on them, especially two debutants,” Warner said after play.

“Sometimes opposition teams come to Australia and they pitch one or two up and get driven back down the ground, then they get off that length.

“Where if you look at our bowlers, they try and consistently hit that length and they want you to hit straight past them.

“I don’t think I scored one run down the ground today, and that’s when you know you’ve got them off their length.

“That’s what I tried to do from ball one, drop that back leg if I got any width or pull if I can and then try to get them to bowl to my scoring zones.”

Originally published as With his place assured and critics answered, David Warner could rack up some big numbers against Pakistan