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ADELAIDE. — David Warner paid moving tribute to Phillip Hughes in compiling a brilliant century, but Australia’s joy was tempered with another injury to captain Michael Clarke on an emotional opening day of the first Test cricket against India in Adelaide yesterday.
Warner’s sparkling 145 from 163 balls got the hosts off to a flying start at a sun-drenched Adelaide Oval, and though India captured a flurry of late wickets, Steven Smith added an unbeaten 72 after tea to push Australia to 354-6 at stumps.
A day that began solemnly with a slew of tributes to Hughes ended with grave concerns over the fitness of Clarke, who retired hurt on 60 with a lower back injury.
Having raced to be fit for the match after suffering a third hamstring strain in three months, Clarke’s new injury will raise questions over his management, and whether sentimentality trumped sense in his selection for the match.
Batsman Virat Kohli, who replaced the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India captain, endured a tough debut in charge of the test team, losing the all-important toss and watching his bowlers toil for much of the day on a flat wicket. Warner’s dismissal, caught in the deep after slogging debutant leg spinner Karn Sharma, saw Smith and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh add another 87 runs before the latter was caught in the slips off the bowling of paceman Varun Aaron.
Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was bowled for three by Mohammed Shami before wicket-keeper Brad Haddin was caught behind for a duck, nicking at the paceman, bringing the day to a close.
Warner’s day was memorable as he took to the Indian pacemen with gusto, clubbing a four off the first ball and crunching another 18 for the day.
The pugnacious 28-year-old was fielding when Hughes was struck down by a short ball in a domestic match that ultimately cost his life and he paid tribute to his former teammate on several milestones during the innings.
He raised his bat and head to the sky after reaching 50 and 63 runs, the score Hughes was on when he was struck down in a Sheffield Shield match.
“It was something that was in the back of my mind, it’s going to be a special number for all of us for many years to come,” Warner said.
Warner drove a single off legspinner Karn Sharma to bring up his 100 and after tearing off his helmet and kissing the crest, he raised his hands and head to the sky in a poignant tribute to his fallen teammate.
“I like to do a little celebration but that was definitely for him today,” Warner said in a pitchside TV interview after his 163-ball knock.
“He was at the other end when I scored my first 100 and I dedicated that 100 to him today. It’s been an emotional week for us all and I know he’d have been proud of us today.” — AFP.
Online Reporter