David Warner's double ton in 100th test powers hosts to big lead

Facing pressure to retain his place in Australias team David Warner defied his critics and heatwave conditions with a spectacular return to form scoring a memorable 200 in his 100th testLeading the threematch series onenil Australia had resumed at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday at 451 in sunny conditions in reply to South Africas lacklustre firstinnings total of 189By stumps Australia was 3863 an overall lead of 197 with Alex Carey not out on nine and Travis Head unbeaten on 48While Australia is in a strong position two of the home sides pace bowlers Mitchell Starc and firstinnings hero Cameron Green are nursing finger injuries ahead of South Africas second inningsAlso readUnchanged Australia look to seal series in Boxing Day TestSteve Smith 85 and Warner 200 retired hurt shared an entertaining thirdwicket partnership of 239 runs as Australia took control of the match in stifling conditions Smiths exit at 3143 was followed by Warners dramatic departure 15 runs later retired hurt with the crowd of 42614 on their feetEnglands Joe Root is the only other player in test history to score a double century in his 100th testEver the showman Warner tried to shrug off leg cramps leaping in the air to celebrate his 200 before immediately buckling at the kneesUnable to continue after crunching 16 fours and two sixes in his 254ball knock in 99degree Fahrenheit heat Warner limped off with medical staff assisting himThe 36yearold opener took the last few steps unassisted before crashing to the turf as soon as he crossed the boundary rope looking elated and exhaustedMy backs up against the wall but its in my DNA to keep being competitive Warner said Sunday on the eve of his milestone matchThe feisty lefthander scored his 25th test century and first since January 2020 off 144 deliveries pulling a short ball to the legside boundary before launching into extravagant celebrations in the postlunch session TuesdayWarner leapt into the air waved his bat and blew a kiss to the crowdBy tea Australia held a 42run advantage at 2312Anrich Nortje finally ended the thirdwicket partnership by removing Smith caught at gully at 3153 The big fast bowler had narrowly escaped serious injury earlier in the day when an overhead Spidercam camera whizzed past and collided with him knocking the fielder to the turf in a bizarre incidentGreen retired hurt for six at 3633 after he was struck by Nortje on the fingerSouth Africas bowling attack was also unable to complete the day as a unit with pace bowler Lungi Ngidi leaving the field after breaking down with apparent cramp following the first delivery of his 16th overEarlier Warner was struck on the helmet on 47 by a bouncer from the fiery Nortje in the seventh over of the day The opener immediately ripped his helmet off and received medical treatment on the field before resuming his inningsWarner was involved in a mixup with Marnus Labuschagne who was run out two deliveries later for 14 at 752Smith and Warner guided Australia to lunch at 1362 with Warner on 86Warner also overtook Justin Langer 7696 and Mark Waugh 8029 Tuesday to become Australias seventhhighest test scorerInvited to bat first the highlight of South Africas 189 was a 112run stand between Kyle Verreynne 52 and tailender Marco Jansen 59 for the sixth wicket Australias allrounder Green claimed a careerbest 527This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever