David Warner smashed an unbeaten 244 as Australia went to stumps on 416-2 on the opening day of the second test against New Zealand in Perth yesterday.
David Warner dominated, dissected and demolished New Zealand with his maiden double century to drive Australia to 416 for two at the close of play on a one-sided opening day of the second test at the WACA yesterday.
Picking up where he left off in the first test in Brisbane, the opener scored 244 not out for his third century in three innings as the hosts dominated New Zealand’s bowlers as ruthlessly as they had in the 208-run victory at the Gabba.
Usman Khawaja claimed his maiden test century in the first test and got his second on Friday but even his sometimes sublime strokeplay had to play second fiddle to his fellow lefthander’s brilliance on a sweltering day in Perth.
“The way he’s batting at the moment, he’s making it look so easy,” Khawaja told ABC radio.
“Test cricket isn’t easy, no matter who you play against. It’s just really nice to watch, I hope it continues for a long time, you don’t want to waste good form.”
The 28-year-old was caught by Tom Latham in the covers off Doug Bracewell and departed for 121 to end a 302-run partnership with Warner shortly before stumps, leaving skipper Steve Smith (five not out) to resume on day two.
Warner, once dismissed as a Twenty20 slogger, was batting on the same ground where he hit a 69-ball century on the way to his previous career-highest score of 180 against India in 2012.
This innings was the work of a far more experienced batsman, however, even if it started with similar aggression when Warner clattered the first two balls he faced for four to either side of the ground.
Having established his dominance, however, his batting became more circumspect and he was happy to reach his fifty off a single. — Reuters.