Australia veteran David Warner believes his gutsy MCG double century, coming in his one hundredth Test, was most likely the most effective knock of his glittering profession.
Warner produced a shocking turnaround in opposition to South Africa on Tuesday, ending an-almost three-year century drought by smashing 200 in oppressive circumstances.
The 36-year-old opener retired harm after reaching his milestone, struggling warmth stress and full-body cramps, and was assisted from the sphere by medical workers.
Warner returned to bat on Wednesday, however lasted only one ball after being bowled by Proteas fast Anrich Nortje, however mirrored on his extraordinary innings earlier than play on day three.
“I was going through that (his best knocks) the other day with a couple of the journos and that definitely is up there now,” Warner informed the Seven Network.
“To go out there, a lot of pressure, I don’t generally feel the pressure, I don’t get nervous.
“But strolling out right here and telling my mates, ‘I’m going out to play the way in which I wish to, seeking to rating and have intent’, and to ship that in a Boxing Day Test which is the top as a child … to exit and execute that emphatically was superior.”
Warner had been under immense pressure entering the final Test of the year, after averaging just 20.61 from 10 matches in 2022.
The decline in Warner’s red-ball form had been so sharp he had failed to pass 50 since the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore in March.
Warner has hinted about retiring from Tests in the near future but is desperate to tour India and England. He has never won a Test series in either country.
“When your again’s in opposition to the wall, you may solely look to maneuver ahead, that is how I’ve all the time been,” he mentioned.
“It was emotional, it was laborious on the market, it was draining.
“The build-up, the the articles … but to come out here and just back myself and look to score, have that intent, which was probably missing from the last 12 months.
“It was a magical second and so proud to do it in entrance of my household and mates.”
The aggressive left-hander is the 10th player to score a ton in his 100th Test and only the second Australian, after Ricky Ponting smashed dual centuries in 2006.
Steve Smith, who was himself battling flu, subbed in for a weary Warner during the post-play press conference on Tuesday.
He was confident the opener’s 25th Test century was not a one-off, believing the innings can set Warner up for success in blockbuster tours of India and England next year.
“He’s doing fairly nicely and performed exceptionally nicely (on Tuesday),” Smith mentioned.
“I do not see any motive why he cannot proceed enjoying.
“Fingers crossed he can keep playing well, and he can play for as long as he likes, I’m assuming.”
