Australia vs South Africa, 2nd Test Day 2: Australian veteran Warner slams double century in 100th Test

Australia's veteran opener David Warner hit a double century on Tuesday against South Africa in his 100th Test before being helped off the Melbourne Cricket Ground in agony.

Match Summary

Australia vs South Africa, 2nd Test, South Africa tour of Australia

Australia *386/3 (91 ov)

South Africa 189/10 (68.4 ov)

Day Break : Day 2 Australia lead by 197 runs

SCORECARD

En route to three figures, the 36-year-old passed 8,000 Test runs -- the eighth Australian to do so -- after coming into the game under pressure after a lean run.

He notched his first Test century since January 2020 to prove the doubters wrong on day two of the second Test and with the opposition bowlers tiring in searing heat, he battled the elements and converted it to 200.

His third Test double century came off 254 balls with 16 fours and two sixes in a test of endurance in the heat.

He needed treatment for cramp several times and eventually retired in pain on 200, helped off the field.

Warner, who dropped to his knees which he reached 200, insisted before the match that "you're never out of form".

"They're not the words that I use and they're definitely not used in our change rooms," he said. "It's about (being) out of runs."

Unfazed

Australia resumed on 45-1, having lost Usman Khawaja late Monday after taking charge of the opening day, with Green's heroics helping dismiss the visitors for under 200 again.

They were all out for 152 and 99 in the first Test in Brisbane, which they lost by six wickets inside two days.

Warner began on 32 and showed his aggressive intent with an early boundary off Kagiso Rabada.

Nortje was routinely sending down 150 kph (93 mph) rockets, smacking Warner on the head when he was on 47. The batter was given the all-clear after a mandatory concussion test on the field, with a lengthy delay as a new helmet was found.

But disaster struck two balls after play resumed.

Warner pushed Nortje for a single and came back for a second, but Labuschagne hesitated and was run out despite a lunging dive.

Unfazed, Warner put his head down to motor to 100, punching the air when he got there with a boundary after a near-flawless knock characterised by his trademark strong running between the wicket.

Smith was not as comfortable, escaping on nine when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and then on 39 when he was given out caught behind only for it to be called a no-ball after Rabada overstepped the mark. 

But he persevered to reach a 37th Test fifty with a four off Marco Jansen.

Warner upped the ante after his century and raced to 200 off 254 balls before calling it quits.

Smith departed shortly before his partner reached the milestone, with Nortje getting his reward for a hard day's work, with Theunis de Bruyn taking a catch at gully.

Match Stats

South Africa: Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Sarel Erwee - 10.4 ov), 2-56 (Theunis de Bruyn - 19.6 ov), 3-58 (Dean Elgar - 22.5 ov), 4-58 (Temba Bavuma - 22.6 ov), 5-67 (Khaya Zondo - 28.3 ov), 6-179 (Kyle Verreynne - 64.5 ov), 7-182 (Marco Jansen - 66.1 ov), 8-186 (Kagiso Rabada - 66.6 ov), 9-186 (Keshav Maharaj - 67.3 ov), 10-189 (Lungi Ngidi - 68.4 ov)

Australia: Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Usman Khawaja - 6.4 ov), 2-75 (Marnus Labuschagne - 18.3 ov), 3-314 (Steven Smith - 74.1 ov)

Playing XIs

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon

South Africa: Dean Elgar (C), Sarel Erwee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Match Details:

Date: Sunday, December 25, 2022 23:30

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Toss: Australia won the toss & elected to field

© Cricket World 2022