David Warner, the standout opener for Australia, was in high spirits following his outstanding attacking century against Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test at Perth, which silenced all the doubters about his form. After hitting his 26th Test century in Perth, Warner claimed that leading his team to victory was the best way to quiet the naysayers.
Warner celebrated his hundredth birthday with his traditional celebration leap, taking pleasure in the cheers from the audience. He made a singular motion at the party when he put his fingers to his lips and looked up.
Interestingly, Mitchell Johnson, Warner’s former colleague, had questioned the quality of the Australian opener and questioned if the outstanding batsman merited a hero’s farewell. Johnson drew attention to Warner’s involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering issue as well as his recent troubles in the oldest format.
David Warner spoke to the media during the tea break as he said, “Look, it’s my job to come here and score runs for my team. From the get-go, I was on my way, and along with Ussie Khawaja (Usman Khawaja), it was great to build up a partnership and put pressure on Pakistan. Now, I am in a partnership with Smudge (Smith).”
“You can do nothing about the criticism” : David Warner
After the second session, Warner made it clear that his gesture was only in response to criticism over his place in the team before the Test, in an interview alongside former Australia opener Adam Gilchrist.
The Delhi Capitals opener added, “It was just another Test hundred for Australia. Always feels great. We need to put enough runs on the board to give the bowlers something to bowl at. Yeah, if put in the right areas, the wicket looks a nice one. You can do nothing about the criticism, but you have to put your head down and get into your work. Nothing better than getting runs and silencing the critics,”
Fans react as David Warner reacts to critics after scoring hundred against Pakistan:
David Warner said, "there's going to be criticism, but you gotta take that and silence them. No better way than to put runs on the board". pic.twitter.com/hQgKWkVcQw
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 14, 2023
Waah great feeling
— ??..Rai ji..?? (@Vinod_r108) December 14, 2023
Best Australian?? cricketer ?? pic.twitter.com/tEhGhM330i
— White knight ? (@santhoshtiger14) December 14, 2023
Well done. Let the bat do the talking ??? pic.twitter.com/esC3BRO8LC
— Karthik (@vsk_says) December 14, 2023
GREAT INNINGS WARNER ?? pic.twitter.com/Z7Kd3SGR1j
— Shivaye ? (@shivaye01) December 14, 2023
He's made mistakes, paid his dues and always always comes back stronger. You never push David Warner to a corner. He makes a strong return.
— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) December 14, 2023
9th hundred for him vs Pak
— § ? ? € (@berlin2okyo) December 14, 2023
Aur kitna silent karoge bhai?
— Digant (@keepitsimple176) December 14, 2023
David Warner the GOAT opener
— Andleeb Akhtar ?? (@mr_akhtar17) December 14, 2023
David warnar you beauty ?
— Haider Sultan (@haidersultan777) December 14, 2023
Absolute fantastic innings weldon David
— HM Naveed (@hmnaveed56) December 14, 2023
Great innings ?
— Azhar hussain (@azharh746) December 14, 2023
Australia should declare
— Usman. (@oficialkashmiri) December 14, 2023