Every hundred at the SCG is for Phil: Warner

 

New Delhi: David Warner (113 off 95 balls) paid tribute to Phil Hughes after scoring another terrific century on Day I of the third and final Test against Pakistan at the SCG.

Warner smashed 17 fours in a 78-ball century, etching his name alongside the likes of Don Bradman, Victor Trumper and Majid Khan to become the fifth batsman to hit a century before lunch on the opening day of a Test.

In doing so, he also bettered the record for fastest Test hundred at the SCG, which he set almost a year ago on the fifth day of Australia's rain-marred Test against the West Indies.

The Australia vice-captain has scored a century in each of the three Tests since Phil Hughes's demise, at the SCG, where a memorial plaque for the latter was installed outside Australia's dressing room following his death.

"I've said before that every time I walk out here, we've got our little mate walking with us," Warner said.

"It's always in the back of my mind when I walk out here, that he's with me. I always think he's at the other end with me. So every time I score runs here or score a hundred, it's for Phil...."

There was a moment of scare on Tuesday as well when Renshaw survived a jarring hit to the grille, as Pakistan fielders too rushed in to check on Warner's opening partner. "There was a lot of concern," Warner said. "You never ever want to see a player be struck like that."

Having begun the new year with a hundred, Warner realises the need to keep the good showing going, something he couldn't quite do in 2016. "I started last year with a hundred here and I've started again with a hundred. It's a special one, but now I have to really capitalise on that," he said.

Warner added: "We have a few Tests in India and then we have the Ashes at home. I'm looking forward to that challenge and I'm just going to keep riding that wave of form."