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Cricket

'Johnson ka mooh bandh kar diya' - Fans react as David Warner smashes scintillating century in his swansong Test series against Pakistan in Perth

Warner celebrated in his trademark style - jogging across, taking off his helmet, and jumping in the air with both hands aloft in joy. 

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Mathew K
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David Warner's century celebration (Source: Twitter)

David Warner's century celebration (Source: Twitter)

David Warner began his farewell Test series on a high note. The Aussie great was under a lot of pressure - a scathing personal attack from Mitchell Johnson and out-of-form concerns - but hit it all for a maximum with a scintillating century. The southpaw notched up his 26th Test hundred and 49th international ton against Pakistan in the first Test in Perth on Thursday 14 December.

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Despite his recent poor form in red-ball cricket, the veteran opener was backed by the team management and the George Bailey-led selection committee to be in the squad for the three-match Test series. The decision to give him a "hero's send-off" was criticised by some, but he let his bat do the talking and repaid for the faith shown by the team. 

Pat Cummins made a wise call to bat first though the pitch was expected to offer pace and bounce. Warner and his opening partner Usman Khawaja dominated the first session as Pakistan's pacers could not find a way to trouble the duo. Warner was free-flowing and aggressive right from the start. His ridiculous ramp shot six off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 22nd over epitomizes the kind of mentality he displays in his Test cricket swansong.

Warner brought up his half-century with three consecutive boundaries off Faheem Ashraf in the 15th over. It came off just 41 deliveries, with the bulk of the runs coming through boundaries. The opening pair put on 117 runs in 25 overs before the players broke up for lunch on Day 1. Pakistan was desperate for a breakthrough and Shaheen did it in the second session by removing Khawaja. 

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After the first wicket, Warner became more alert but did not allow the Pakistani bowlers to put him under pressure. He smashed Aamer Jamal's fifth ball of the 43rd over for a boundary to register a well-entertaining hundred. Warner celebrated in his trademark style - jogging across, taking off his helmet, and jumping in the air with both hands aloft in joy. 

Watch the video below: 

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Speaking during the tea break on Day 1, the 37-year-old said: "It’s my job to come here and score runs. It was good to get a couple of partnerships, first with Uzzie (Khawaja) and then with Smudge (Smith). (On his century) It does feel great, it’s about putting runs on the board for the bowlers. No better way to silence the critics than by putting runs on the board."

Australia were 210-2 after 50 overs at the time of tea break. Warner 111 off 149 balls and Steve Smith 21 off 34 balls are at the crease.

Here's how fans reacted to David Warner's century in his final Test series: 

 

Australia Pakistan David Warner