adminPERTH. — Opener David Warner continued his love affair with New Zealand’s bowling and the WACA Ground by notching a career-best double century as Australia took total control and records tumbled on the opening day of the second Test cricket in Perth yesterday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Warner’s third century in as many innings saw the home side reach a commanding 416 for two at stumps against the demoralised Kiwis in what is shaping up to be a disappointingly lopsided three-Test series.
At stumps Warner was unbeaten on 244, having notched the highest score by an Australian in a single day on home soil, with captain Steve Smith on five.
The Australian total was the highest on the first day of a Test at the venue.
Usman Khawaja posted his second century of the series before falling just before stumps for 121 to end a 302-run stand with Warner.
That set a new second-wicket partnership mark for Australia, surpassing Arthur Morris and Don Bradman’s 301-run effort at Headingley in 1948.
Already down 1-0 in the three-Test series after being thumped by 208 runs at The Gabba, the Kiwi bowlers gained little assistance from the pitch and were again on the wrong end of the decision review system.
Warner cashed in to notch his 15th Test century in 45 matches and went on to post his highest score.
After narrowly surviving a decision review on 78, he reached triple figures with his 12th boundary, having faced 118 balls.
It was also his fourth successive century against New Zealand, making him just the fifth batsman in history to score four hundreds in a row against the same opponent.
The others in the select group are South Africa’s Alan Melville and Hashim Amla, West Indian Everton Weekes and Pakistan’s Shoaib Mohammad.
Warner went on to post his maiden Test double century late in the day, having faced 236 balls and hit 17 fours and two sixes in reaching the milestone. — AFP.
Online Reporter