Australia vs Pakistan: David Warner’s 164 puts hosts in control of Perth Test

David Warner put Australia in control of the first Test against Pakistan in Perth with a brilliant 164.

Warner, 37, starred on the opening day of what is his final series before retiring from Test cricket, with Australia ending 346-5.

Warner is now fifth on Australia’s all-time Test run-scorers list after passing Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke.

A seventh Test score of more than 150 from Warner came amid recent criticism from ex-team-mate Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson questioned whether Warner deserves a “hero’s send-off” after his central role in the 2018 ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering scandal.

Warner helps Australia set tone

Australia elected to bat after winning the toss and quickly took control of their first Test since last summer’s Ashes series in England.

Warner and his fellow opener Usman Khawaja put on an opening stand of 126 before Khawaja was removed on 41 by Shaheen Shah Afridi shortly after lunch.

Khawaja was sporting a black armband after the decision to bar him from making an on-field statement in support of Palestinians.

The batter had planned to wear shoes bearing the words “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right”.

Warner bought up his 26th Test century off 125 balls, having reached 50 off only 42 deliveries. While Pakistan could not dismiss him, they did pick up the key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (16) and Steve Smith (31) without either being able to get going.

Travis Head, who has recently been named co-vice-captain of Australia’s Test side, added quick runs alongside Warner for the fifth wicket before Head was caught on 40 off the bowling of Pakistan debutant Aamer Jamal.

Warner’s innings was bought to a halt after some short ball bowling from Jamal towards the end of the day’s play paid off – the left-hander being caught by Imam ul-Haq. He now sits on 8,651 career Test runs, a tally that puts him above fellow Australian greats Clarke (8,643) and Hayden (8,625).

‘Never write off Davey’ – reaction

Australia captain Pat Cummins on ABC Grandstand: “Great day. I think day one here is never the easiest time to bat but the boys put on a clinic, 100-0 is pretty amazing.

“You never write off a great player like Davey, you almost half expect it when his back is against the wall. It was trademark and I couldn’t be happier, he’s a champion and I’m really happy for him. I think he’s always taken pride in silencing a few critics, he would have been pleased with that, it was quite amazing.

“With five wickets in hand, we’d love another 100 or 150 runs.”