With a thrilling over against South Africa at the MCG, David Warner ended a nearly three-year streak without a century in a Test match and became the second player to record a double in Test history. He became the second Australian to accomplish the feat after Ricky Ponting, the only player to obtain twin 100s in his 100th Test, joining a renowned group of players with his 25th Test century and third Test double century.
In addition, Warner passed Gordon Greenidge to become the second player, and the eighth Australian overall, to reach 8000 Test runs during an innings. He had pledged prior to the game to get back to his old self and strike South Africa’s bowlers, and he ‘ve done just that by winning his first Test century until January 2020, ending a 27-inning dry spell without the need for a hundred.
Likewise, he scored 50 or more runs in a Test game for the first time in 11 innings since reaching his preceding half-century, this year in Lahore. His only other century came in an ODI at the MCG in November against England, marking his only other century in all of international cricket since January 2020.
After Australia’s bowling attack had annihilated the opposition on day one, Warner’s innings in Test cricket was in the container of his very finest, stealing the match away from the opponents. With courage, he faced the short ball which had refuted him in the opening Test in Brisbane, pulling and cutting as he pleased. With two external contours and just one inside periphery discovering the rope, he was able to bask in some good fortune that he had bemoaned so far this season.