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 i🤪nnings 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 unbeat൲en 56-ball ce🅺ntury, 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. Kﷺusal Perera and Oshada Fer🐈nando 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 boaꦐrd.
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 doubl💮es his birthday celebration🍬s with a maiden T20I 💯
He brings up his century on🥀 the last ball oℱf the innings!
— ICC (@ICC)
David Warner is a CHAMPION!
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
David Warner makes a triumphant return to internationalไ cricket on Australi🧜an 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)
W🌺ow 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)
David Warner 0/100 (9.2 overs) def Sri Lanka 9/99 (20 overs♏).
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger)
David Warner beats Sri Lanka by one run.
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket)
Player of the mat🦄ch is David Warner for his unbeaten 100 off 56 balls!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
