Australia vs Pakistan 2023-24

Top 3 knocks of David Warner in Memorable Test Innings

It has been a remarkable day so far for the Australians as they have shown their domination over Pakistan on Day 1 of the first Test. Australia is currently placed at 338-5 with just a few overs left for stumps to be called. The star of the day has been David Warner, who made a spectacular 164. Warner, 37, smashed his 26th Test ton earlier in the day, by dominating Pakistan’s inexperienced attack.

It was a special knock because over the last few days, Warner has been subjected to a lot of criticism, especially from his former teammates, Mitchell Johnson and Ed Cowan. It is also special because this is the southpaw’s final series in the longest format of the game as he has planned to retire after the Sydney Test, which will also be the last of this series.

Today’s impressive knock by David Warner adds to a long string of remarkable performances since his Test debut, further solidifying his legendary status. Here’s a look at 3 of Warner’s most memorable essays in the ultimate format:

123* vs New Zealand (Hobart, 2011)

David Warner’s maiden Test hundred, a fighting 123 not out against New Zealand in Hobart in 2011, was way more than just an entry on the scorecard. It was just a glimpse into the immense force that he would become one of the most feared batsmen of his generation. Walking out in just his second Test, Warner, with his reputation as a T20 slogger, had doubts. He silenced them with a masterful display of grit and determination. Facing a swinging Kiwi attack on a bowler-friendly Bellerive Oval, Warner dug deep, showing incredible composure for a Test newcomer.

This came in the fourth innings with Australia requiring 241 on what was a tricky wicket, made his innings all the more special. His knock was laced with 14 boundaries and he was the only Australian batter who showed some fight. His innings wasn’t about the brutality that was associated with him. He mixed caution with calculated aggression, leaving balls to move and punishing loose deliveries. Though Australia fell agonizingly short by seven runs, Warner’s hundred had laid the foundation for a remarkable career. The Bellerive ton wasn’t just a maiden century; it was the arrival of a future legend.

180 vs India (Perth, 2012)

David Warner’s 180 against India in Perth in 2012 was an innings of pure carnage, a brutal display of power hitting that announced his arrival as a true force in Test cricket. Ahead of that innings, there were still doubts in the minds of pundits and fans as to whether Warner was cut out for the longest format of the game. As such, it silenced the doubters who questioned his temperament and technique for the longer format.

Opening the batting on a bouncy WACA pitch, Warner went on the offensive from the outset. He tore into the Indian attack with a combination of audacious strokes and brute force, peppering the boundaries with 20 fours and 5 massive sixes. His innings was a masterclass in clean hitting, with shots to all parts of the ground. He used his feet brilliantly, dancing down the track and driving through the covers, and was equally adept at pulling and hooking the short ball. The Indian bowlers, including the likes of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, were simply powerless in the face of Warner’s onslaught. He was involved in a 214 run opening stand with Ed Cowan which set the tone for an innings victory for the hosts.

335* vs Pakistan (Adelaide, 2019)

In 2019, the Adelaide Oval witnessed history unfold as David Warner carved his name into the pantheon of cricketing greats with a monumental 335 not out against Pakistan. Batting with a breathtaking mix of power and finesse, Warner single-handedly dismantled the visiting bowlers, smashing 40 boundaries (39 fours and 1 six) in his innings. This masterclass not only secured a thumping victory for Australia but also shattered records and left the cricketing world in awe.

Warner shared a 361-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne who made 162 himself. He also shared crucial partnerships with Steve Smith (121) and Matthew Wade (99) to lift Australia to a massive score of 589-3. Warner dominated the inexperienced Pakistani attack. The bowlers were left absolutely clueless. He was particularly effective against Yasir Shah, amassing 111 runs off 110 balls. His impressive strike rate of 80.14 stands tall as the fourth-best among all recorded triple centuries in Test cricket. During the course of his innings, he went past the great Sir Don Bradman’s highest Test score of 334.