Mark Waugh weighs in on David Warner’s historic knock against Pakistan

David Warner re-wrote the record books in Adelaide but Mark Waugh has chimed in on one aspect that left a sour taste in some people’s mouths.

Aussie legend Mark Waugh has weighed in after captain Tim Paine divided the cricket world with his decision to prevent David Warner from chasing Brian Lara’s Test world record score in the second Test against Pakistan.

Warner went past Don Bradman and Mark Taylor’s highest scores when he notched a sensational 335 not out in Adelaide, but Paine declared before the opener could chase down Matthew Hayden’s highest ever score by an Australian (380) and Lara’s highest score by anyone in a Test (400).

Australian and English greats Brett Lee and Michael Vaughan were among those to criticise Paine for cutting Warner’s innings short as the skipper declared before the dinner break on day two with the hosts 3/589.

Vaughan said Paine “spoiled the party” while Lee said Warner was robbed of the perfect opportunity to create history, while the reaction on social media was even more severe as some in the Twittersphere called for Paine to be sacked.

Australia won by an innings inside four days, suggesting Warner had enough time to hunt 400, but Waugh was on Paine’s side. The 128-Test veteran said Paine did the right thing by the team, especially considering rain was forecast that could have hurt Australia’s chances of securing a result.

“You’re still 65 runs away and at the end of the day there was rain forecast on days three, four and five so Tim Paine thought we needed to move the game forward just in case it did rain,” Waugh said.

“Obviously it didn’t rain and we won with a day to spare. I think it’s a fair declaration, it’s a team game isn’t it?”

Pakistan lost both Tests in the series by an innings, prompting Waugh to say the tourists were “pretty ordinary, pretty weak, lacking experience and lacking leadership”. But he expects Australia to face a tougher task when New Zealand arrives for a three-Test series starting in Perth next week.

However, Waugh is confident the Aussies will still come out on top, predicting the Kiwis will struggle to adjust to different conditions.

The Black Caps are fresh off a 1-0 series victory against England on home turf but that may not count for much when they arrive in Perth.

“Going to Perth the pitch is going to be fast and bouncy, New Zealand have been playing on flat, slow-ish wickets,” Waugh said.

“Straight from a Test match (at home) to Perth — Australia win easily I reckon.

“Australia will win that Test match … I’m thinking 2-0 that series.”

David Warner will be eyeing off more runs against New Zealand.