No backing down as Warner hits back-to-back Test tons
Saturday, 13 December 2014
ADELAIDE, Dec 12 (AFP): David Warner says he relishes taking his cricket to the opposition and was at his irresistible best again when he completed back-to-back hundreds against India in the first Adelaide Test Friday.
The belligerent Australian opener rode his luck in scoring 102 after his 145 in the first innings and has now scored 11 centuries in 33 Test matches.
Warner did not shy away from the blow-ups he was involved in with the Indian players during his fighting knock which helped put Australia into a strong position with a 363-run lead heading into Saturday's final day.
One of the confrontations was triggered when Warner was bowled by express paceman Varun Aaron for 66 in the 34th over, only to be recalled when replays showed Aaron had sent down a no-ball.
Aaron had given Warner a triumphant send-off, but the pugnacious opener responded in kind when he was recalled to the crease.
Shane Watson, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan all joined in, exchanging sharp words before umpire Ian Gould eventually calmed down the warring parties.
"That's what happens in cricket. Things happen in the past, things happen in the IPL (Indian Premier League)," Warner said.
Australia 7 for 517 dec and 5 for 290 (Warner 102, Smith 52*) lead India 444 (Kohli 115, Lyon 5-134) by 363 runs.