David Warner added another highlight to his fairytale career by acquiring his 26th Test ton despite worries about his status. On the first day in Perth, Warner responded with his bat in usually aggressive fashion, leaving Pakistan trying to save face early in the day before finding their feet.

Warner reached his milestone as the tea break loomed, ensuring that even a better bowling performance could not get Pakistan back into the game. Warner’s opening partner Usman Khawaja was caught behind for 41 by Shaheen Afridi early in the session, breaking a 126-run stand Not long after, Faheem Ashraf struck getting Marnus Labuschagne LBW with one nipping in slightly.
These came during Pakistan’s strongest bowling period of the day, when they increased their lengths while simultaneously controlling the scoring rate. Warner got through this phase, despite slowing down, and reached the milestone with a cut boundary off the 125th ball he faced.

At the other end, Warner was assisted by a free-flowing Steve Smith, who cashed in on some indisciplined lengths from Pakistan.
Khurram Shehzad took his maiden Test wicket when he caught Smith behind early in the third session, but Warner was soon joined by the in-form Travis Head, who came out to a standing ovation. He took over the scoring in a 66-run partnership with Warner, scoring 40 before succumbing to Pakistan’s short-ball strategy. While Head was caught at third man, Warner also tried the ploy, hooking a six and being daring. He went over 150 before finally holing out, attempting a pull on debutant Aamer Jamal.

Having chosen to bat, Australia were hardly in any pain throughout, with Shaheen Afridi struggling to find his rhythm with the new ball. While newcomer Khurram Shahzad bowled a few tight overs, Afridi sprayed the ball in pursuit of wickets.

This allowed Warner to open his farewell Test series exactly how he wanted it, with plenty of boundaries for the taking. Warner, for his part, did an excellent job of attacking and putting pressure on the bowlers. In a Faheem Ashraf over, he stormed to his 37th Test fifty, striking three fours. With only 41 balls, Australia was able to command the shots.
Usman Khawaja, who remained calm despite the dot balls piling up, was the perfect contrast for Warner’s bravado. When Abdullah Shafique fumbled a high grab going back from the slip cordon on 21, he was lucky to live.

On his comeback delivery, Shaheen Afridi had an LBW review thrown down against Warner, who then upped the ante with an audacious scoop off a length ball for a six, setting the tone for the day, which was centered on his batting prowess.
Brief Scores: Australia 346/5 (David Warner 164, Usman Khawaja 41, Travis Head 40; Aamer Jamal 2-63) vs Pakistan