Australia’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 have kicked off in spectacular fashion against South Africa. With a 1-0 lead in the series, the Australians have continued their dominance in the second one-day international match.
Opener David Warner showcased his prowess by notching up his 20th ODI century, a remarkable achievement in his cricketing career.
In the match, Australian openers David Warner and Travis Head adopted an aggressive approach, piling up an impressive 109 runs for the first wicket in just 12 overs. Travis Head contributed a quickfire 64 runs off 36 balls before losing his wicket, while Warner went on to create history by achieving a record-breaking century in one-day internationals.
David Warner’s century against South Africa had an added significance as he surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in terms of international centuries as an opener.
Tendulkar had held this esteemed record with 45 centuries, all of which were achieved in the ODI format during his illustrious 342 international innings. Warner’s century in Bloemfontein marked his 46th international century as an opener, spanning all three cricket formats.
David Warner’s versatility as an opener is evident in his century count: 20 in ODIs, 25 in Tests, and one in T20Is. Unlike Tendulkar, who primarily batted at No. 4 in Tests and didn’t feature in T20Is after his debut in 2006, Warner has consistently performed as an opener across formats.
While Tendulkar’s achievement of a century of centuries remains a special milestone in his 24-year international career, Warner’s feat places him in an elite group of openers.
In addition to Warner and Tendulkar, the top 5 list of openers with the most international centuries includes Chris Gayle (42), Sanath Jayasuriya (41), and Matthew Hayden (40). The current Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, is not far behind, with 39 international centuries as an opener, securing his spot at number 6 on this prestigious list.
In the same game, Australian middle-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne also made a significant contribution by scoring a century shortly after Warner’s achievement. This partnership put Australia in a commanding position, and it appears that South African bowlers are struggling to find answers against the Australian lineup.
Warner’s innings of 106 runs off 93 balls, featuring 12 fours and three sixes, not only propelled Australia towards a substantial total but also showcased his undeniable talent and ability to perform at the highest level of the game. As the cricketing world looks ahead to the World Cup in 2023, Australia’s performance, led by David Warner’s brilliant century, has certainly set the stage for an exciting tournament.