Sydney: David Warner joined an elite group of batsmen including Don Bradman and Victor Trumper to score a century in the opening session of a Test with a milestone innings on the first day of the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Warner joined fellow Australians Trumper (1902 in Manchester), Charlie Macartney (1926 in Leeds) and Bradman (1930 in Leeds) as well as Pakistan's Majid Khan (1976 in Karachi) among those to have achieved the feat, and is the first to do so in the 140 years of Test cricket in Australia.
The left-hander plundered an insipid Pakistan bowling attack and frequently punctured the defensive field placements with powerful strokes in raising his 50 off 42 balls.
Warner increased his scoring rate as the lunch break loomed and completed his remarkable century off 78 balls, with 17 boundaries, with a cut shot for three on the second ball of the final over before the interval. The diminutive opener removed his helmet and did his trademark leap to celebrate the milestone in front of an appreciative crowd at his NSW state home ground.
It was his 18th Test hundred and third at the SCG, following centuries against India (101) in 2015 and the West Indies (122 not out) last year.
Warner and fellow opener Matt Renshaw shared a 151-run stand, before Warner was dismissed shortly after lunch for 113 off 95 balls when he edged through to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed off Wahab Riaz.
Australia are seeking a series clean sweep after winning the first two Tests at Brisbane and Melbourne.
