Internet Desk: David Warner scored 21st century in Boxing Day test against England in the Ashes test series at Melbourne as Aussies are in the drivers sit as they managed to score 244 runs with the loss of 3 wickets after the stumps on day one. Captain Smith also scored a half century and scored 63 not out before the stumps.
Australia took full advantage of winning the toss as they are looking for a whitewash. The opener played very aggressively as he scored his ton in 130 balls. Warner was on 99 while he was out as he was top edged and the ball went to mid-on. He went off the field and soon he came back as it was an overstepped delivery by English debutant Curran Tom.
The next delivery Warner added further to the England team’s dark mood when he raised his hundred off 130 balls with a flick off his hip and celebrated by leaping into the air and ripping off his helmet to salute the 88,172 Boxing Day crowd at the MCG.
But Warner didn’t stay at the crease for much longer after his massive let-off, as he was caught behind off James Anderson for 103.
England also took the wicket of Cameron Bancroft in the middle session leg before wicket for 26 off 95 balls facing Chris Woakes in the 35th over.
Bancroft shared in a 122-run opening stand and was the passive partner as Warner chased runs.
Captain Smith hasn’t been dismissed in a Melbourne Test match since Boxing Day 2014 as Smith still batting with Shaun Marsh not out 31.
Stuart Broad got his first wicket since the second Adelaide Test to end a barren run of 414 balls when he had Usman Khawaja snapped up by Jonny Bairstow for 17, and incoming Shaun Marsh survived a leg before wicket review off the next ball.
The Australian players were wearing black armbands in memory of Thomas Maggs, wicketkeeper Tim Paine’s father-in-law, who passed away on Sunday