When Day 2 of the 2nd Test between Australia and Pakistan began, David Warner was batting on 166. He had made 154 in his last innings, but now he was looking to go better. On Day 1, despite the rain interruption, he had brutalised the bowlers and was in no mood to let up on Day 2.
Pretty early on in the first session he went past 200 and was soon racing past 250. So the obvious question was, would he make it to 300? The man loves to score big and this was his chance to join the all-time greats in that elite list.
Well, Warner did not disappoint, he hit a boundary and that took him to the coveted mark. The milestone came in 389 balls, pretty quick time it has to be said and contained 37 fours. Not happy with 150 in the previous game, he decided to double it and he did so in style.?
Truth be told, Pakistan had no answer where to bowl to him. When they pitched it full he drove, when they were short, he pulled and cut. Yes, the Pakistani bowlers had pace, but Warner has been playing pace bowling since he was a kid. So as long as he applied himself, well, there was no reason for him not to come out on top.?
The best part about this innings was the hunger to keep on going. He was not happy with 100, not even 200 but went the distance to 300. Since his international return, he had a great World Cup but it was followed by a horrid Ashes series. Now, this series is stamping his class on the longest format once again as Warner hopes to regain lost glory. He was lost to the game for a year, now he is making up for lost time.?
The match already saw one record when Steve Smith became the fastest to 7000 runs, breaking a 73-year-old record. Warner became the 2nd Aussie to hit 300 vs Pakistan, the 4th batsman ever to do so vs Pakistan, the 4th Australian opener to do so ever, 16th opener overall and 7th Aussie overall. Now that is a long list of stats.
If Day 1 was about knocking Pakistan to the ground, Day 2 was about burying them so deep that there would be no trace of them. By the time it ends, Pakistan will be just glad it is over as they have effectively been batted out of this Test. Warner taught them a harsh lesson on the realities of playing Australia Down Under. It is no walk in the park. The declaration came with the score on 589/3. Warner's contribution was 335 not out in 418 balls with 39 fours and 1 six.?
There was no doubt about his ability as one of the world's best openers, but now there will not even be the chance of one coming up. He is back, it's like he never left, but he is definitely back.?