Under siege opener David Warner smashed a gritty double-ton yesterday at the MCG in trying conditions to give Australia a leg-up in their second Test against South Africa.
Warner (32*) and Marnus Labuschagne (5*) took the crease at the start of the day with the hosts 1-for-45 and trailing South Africa’s first-innings total by 144 runs.
They added just 30 to the overnight total before a disastrous mix-up on an overthrow saw Labuschagne caught short of his crease and run-out for 14.
Warner remained unphased, however, now with Steve Smith his partner as they continued closing in on South Africa’s total.
At a time which his critics’ voices have been at their loudest, Warner reached his first century in almost two years off 144 balls.
The 36-year-old celebrated the ton with his signature leap and let all of his emotions pour out.
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The Warner-Smith partnership surpassed triple-figures and eventually reached 200.
Smith looked poised to reach a 30th Test hundred before uppercutting an Anrich Nortje delivery to Theunis de Bruyn at gully for 85.
With Travis Head alongside him and cramps threatening to derail his innings, Warner edged one to the left of first slip and watched as the ball sped towards the boundary to bring up 200.
The veteran – who became the eighth Australian to reach 8,000 Test runs in the same innings – dropped to his knees and pumped his bat before pulling off a weary, trademark leap.
On an unbeaten 200, he was helped off the pitch with cramps and perhaps some heatstroke preventing him from continuing.
Nevertheless, he put together a career-defining innings which will surely dismiss any doubt that he will be on the plane to India and England next year.
Fresh off a monster IPL payday, Cameron Green lasted just 20 balls before also retiring hurt after a blow to his finger drew blood and cats doubt over his short-term availability.
Travis Head (48*) went at a run-a-ball for the remainder of the day alongside Alex Carey (9*) as Australia reached stumps at 3-for-386 with a lead of 197.
South Africa are in danger of losing touch with this Test and series if they cannot reel in the Australian batters.
Expect the hosts to keep ticking the scoreboard over particularly if Warner is able to re-take the crease.
Play resumes today at 10:30 (AEDT) as Australia look to go up 2-0 in the three-Test series.
