ESPNcricinfo
David Warner believes his gutsy MCG double century, coming in his 100th Test, was probably the best knock of his glittering career.
Warner produced a stunning turnaround against South Africa on Tuesday, ending an-almost three-year century drought by smashing 200 in oppressive conditions.
The 36-year-old opener retired hurt after reaching his milestone, suffering heat stress and full-body cramps, and was assisted from the field by medical staff.
Warner returned to bat on Wednesday, but lasted just one ball after being bowled by South Africa quick Anrich Nortje, but reflected on his extraordinary innings before play on day three.
“I was going through that [his best knocks] the other day with a couple of the journos and that definitely is up there now,” Warner told Channel Seven. “To go out there, a lot of pressure, I don’t generally feel the pressure, I don’t get nervous.
“But walking out here and telling my friends, ‘I’m going out to play the way I want to, looking to score and have intent’, and to deliver that in a Boxing Day Test which is the pinnacle as a kid…to go out and execute that emphatically was awesome.”
Warner had been under immense pressure entering the final Test of the year, after averaging just 20.61 from 10 matches in 2022. The decline in Warner’s red-ball form had been so sharp he had failed to pass 50 since the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore in March.
END