Australia’s opening batsman David Warner slammed his maiden T20I century in front of the side’s home crowd at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The dashing southpaw guided his team to a mammoth total of 233/2 against Sri Lanka in the first T20I of a three-match series, with able assistance from skipper Aaron Finch (64) and Glenn Maxwell (62).
Warner had a forgettable outing in the Ashes, having made just 95 runs from 10 innings at an average of 9.5, in England earlier this year. He has now staged a strong comeback to gift himself the perfect birthday.
Warner, who turned 33 on Sunday, blazed off to an unbeaten 56-ball century, studded with 10 boundaries and four sixes.
Chasing a daunting 234-run target, Sri Lanka got off to the worst possible start as they lost both openers in quick succession. The Islanders were left tottering at 13-3 after Pat Cummins scalped Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Kusal Perera and Oshada Fernando stitched a brief partnership but the Aussies struck again with Mitchell Starc castling the former with a peach of a delivery.
The Australians were relentless and kept picking wickets at regular intervals to leave Sri Lanka in dire straits. Leg spinner Adam Zampa polished off the Lankan tail by dismissing Lakshan Sandakan and Kasun Rajitha.
Sri Lanka ended their 20 overs by posting 99/9 on the board.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Maiden T20I century on Birthday. What a way to celebrate the special day. Many many happy returns of the day Legend . Be blessed and give us more entertainment. (But don't forget to get out against me 😜)
— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90)
Don't think there's a better day to hit a 💯
Take a bow !
100* (56) 🙌
📸:
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
David Warner through the Ashes — 95 runs | 10 innings
David Warner today alone — 100* | 56 balls | 10 fours | 4 sixes | Maiden T20I century
Happy homecoming!
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz)
David Warner becomes the 4th Australian to score a Men's T20 International century; joining Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson
21211…44611.1122…41.41664111.1116411.42..12441.14121
The highest total scored in Men's T20 Internationals in Australia (233)
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab)
David Warner doubles his birthday celebrations with a maiden T20I 💯
He brings up his century on the last ball of the innings!
— ICC (@ICC)
David Warner is a CHAMPION!
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
David Warner makes a triumphant return to international cricket on Australian soil. On his 33rd birthday, he makes his first T20 international ton off the final ball of the innings. Australia finish 2-233, their highest T20I total on home soil.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny)
Century for David Warner!
MY DREAM 11 CAPTAIN! 😂😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣😎
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
Maximum innings to register maiden T20I century
74 – Kevin O'Brien (Ireland) on 7 Oct 2019
71 – David Warner (Australia) today!
50 – Shane Watson (Australia) on 31 Jan 2016— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
Yesterday, I picked David Warner in my all time T20 XI and today he scored a brilliant hundred.
Form is temporary, class is permanent.
— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket)
Wow SL 99/9 in reply to David Warner smashing 100* on his own. His first intl innings on Aus soil since his ban
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell)
http://twitter.com/SamLandsberger/status/1188347864600068096
http://twitter.com/fwildecricket/status/1188347941959827457
Player of the match is David Warner for his unbeaten 100 off 56 balls!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
