Aussie batsmen pass Test to put tourists to the sword

By: Oliver Caffrey Time published 2023-12-14 at 09:11 PM (GMT +11:00)

There was plenty of controversy in the lead-up to the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth, with the home side taking the honours on day one.

USMAN KHAWAJA of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during the Fifth Test match in the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at SCG in Sydney, Australia.
USMAN KHAWAJA of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during the Fifth Test match in the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN, First Benaud-Qadir Trophy Test, Optus Stadium, Day One.

SCORE: Australia 5-346 (David Warner 164, Aamer Jamal 2-63)

SUMMARY: Captain Pat Cummins didn't need to think twice about batting first after winning the toss. David Warner and Usman Khawaja immediately took it to Pakistan's bowlers, putting on 126 for the opening wicket. Steve Smith and Travis Head made valuable contributions around Warner as the opener flattened the tourists' bowling attack. Pakistan put down three simple catches in a less than ideal opening day of Shan Masood's Test captaincy career.

PLAYER OF THE MOMENT: David Warner. If there were any lingering doubts that the explosive left-hander would get his SCG farewell, they were put to bed in the opening session of the summer. Taking on his favourite opponent, the veteran opener blasted Pakistan's bowlers to all parts of Optus Stadium. Warner was out hooking for 164 late in the day, his 26th Test century. During the knock, Warner went past Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke to go up to No.5 on Australia's all-time Test run-scorers list, now sitting behind only Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Steve Smith.

STAT OF THE DAY: Find someone who loves you as much as David Warner loves batting against Pakistan. After smashing an unbeaten 335 the last time Pakistan toured Australia in 2019, Warner hit the tourists to all parts of Optus Stadium. In 11 Tests, the 37-year-old averages 88.56 against Pakistan, including six centuries.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I find it a little bit disappointing they came down hard on me and they don't always come down hard on everyone else." - Usman Khawaja told the Seven Network he was frustrated by the ICC's ban on him wearing shoes emblazoned with a humanitarian message.