Australia v Pakistan 2023/24

Watch: David Warner ’shushes’ critics after trademark century celebration against Pakistan

by Wisden Staff December 14, 2023 - 7:53am 3 minute read

Watch: David Warner slammed his 26th Test century in Test cricket, against Pakistan at the Perth Stadium, before making a “shushing” gesture.

David Warner had announced that the Benaud-Qadir Trophy of 2023/24 would be his last Test series. Ahead of the series, Mitchell Johnson wrote a column in the West Australian, criticising the buzz around Warner, among the most popular contemporary cricketers.

“Why a struggling Test opener gets to nominate his own retirement date. And why a player at the centre of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero’s send-off?” asked Johnson.

Johnson had also accused chair of selectors George Bailey – who had played for Australia alongside both Warner and Johnson – of being “part of the inner sanctum rather than standing outside it.”

Bailey responded with “I hope he’s okay.” Johnson, who had a long battle with depression, responded to Bailey’s comment on the Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show.

While his former teammates were at this, Warner did not respond, at least in public. He came into the Test series with 25 Test hundreds, the fifth-most while opening the batting. Only Sunil Gavaskar (33), Alastair Cook (31), Matthew Hayden (30), and Graeme Smith (27) have more.

After Pat Cummins opted to bat, Warner tore into the Pakistan bowling attack, taking only 41 balls his first fifty. He slowed down thereafter, and reached his hundred off the 25th ball he faced.

Once he was done with the trademark celebrations, Warner pretended to ‘shush’ his critics.

At the time of writing, Australia were 265-3 with Warner (140) and Travis Head (16) at the crease.

Warner has a stupendous record against Pakistan, especially at home, where he has now scored five hundreds in his last six innings including an unbeaten 335.