Australia vs England 4th Test Day 1: Warner’s magnificent hundred puts Australia in command

Posted on by
David Warner century Australia England Ashes cricket

David Warner celebrates after scoring his 21st Test century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia opener David Warner was given an extra life on 99 and went on to bring up a magical hundred as the Baggy Greens took full control on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Electing to bat first, Australia got off to a fantastic start as Warner and Cameron Bancroft amassed a 122-run partnership, the majority of which was dominated by Warner as he was closing in on his hundred at the end of the first session.

Bancroft, on the other hand, only made 26 before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Chris Woakes.

Warner would have joined Bancroft back in the pavilion on 99 had debutant Tom Curran not bowled a no-ball when he dismissed the Australian opener.

Warner was surprised by a short-pitched delivery and ended up being caught at mid-on, but he was given a reprieve when replays showed that Curran had overstepped.

Even though Warner went on to score a brilliant hundred, he was unable to convert it into a bigger score as he was caught behind off the bowling of James Anderson for 103, which came off 151 balls and included 13 boundaries and a six.

Stuart Broad took out Usman Khawaja not long after, but Australia captain Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh guided the hosts safely to stumps as they put together an unbeaten 84-run partnership, during which Smith registered his fifty.

Steve Smith Australia England Ashes cricket

Steve Smith continued his run of superb form

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Smith finished on 65 off 131 balls, which included six boundaries, while Marsh remained undefeated on 31 off 93 deliveries, which included four boundaries.

Anderson, Broad and Woakes picked up one wicket apiece.

Australia ended day one on 244/3 and will continue batting on Wednesday at 10:30 local time or 23:30 GMT (the day before).

Leave a Reply