Adelaide, Dec 9 (PTI) Picking up pieces after Phillip Hughes’ death, an emotional David Warner took the Indian bowling attack to the cleaners smashing his way to a 10th hundred as Australia cruised to 238 for two at tea on the opening day of the first cricket Test, here today.
Warner went into the break undefeated on 131 off 140 balls with 17 boundaries after having added 118 runs for the third wicket with skipper Michael Clarke (60 retired hurt).
Clarke unfortunately had to retire hurt due to recurrence of back spasms while he was shaping to hook a wayward short bowl from Ishant Sharma, leaving some real concerns for the hosts about his further participation in the game.
Till he was at the crease, the Aussie captain looked in good touch hitting nine boundaries in 84 balls.
The highlight of the first two session certainly was Warner’s batting as he took the Indian pace attack apart with some glorious strokes.
One saw an emotional side of Warner on two occasions.
Once when he reached a personal score of 63, he raised his bat and looked towards heaven paying a tribute to his mate Hughes with the spectators at the Adelaide giving him a standing ovation.
Once he completed his 10th Test hundred with a pull off Aaron, he again became emotional as skipper Clarke gave him a long hug. There was no animated celebration but he did take off his helmet, wiped a tear and continued batting.
After opting to bat, Warner took Indian pacers to the task as he reached 77 during the first session.
There wasn’t much to cheer about India’s bowling with Varun Aaron (1/76 in 12 overs) proving to be very expensive while Mohammed Shami (0/71 in 12 overs) was also off the mark.
The spearhead of the attack Ishant Sharma (1/36) had a relatively better first two sessions.
While Ishant accounted for Chirs Rogers (9), Aaron dismissed Shane Watson (14).
