David Warner defiantly responded to his critics after scoring his 26th Test century against Pakistan on Day 1 of the first Test in Perth. Warner made a ‘shushing’ gesture at the Optus Stadium stands in response to the extraordinary criticism he has faced, particularly from Mitchell Johnson, who called the 37-year old a ‘struggling opener’ and ‘closer to a tailender’.
Having solidified his place in the team with his exceptional performance, Warner proved that he is still a dominant force in Test cricket. While his knock of 164 was a retort to his critics, it did not negate Johnson’s arguments regarding Warner’s diminishing returns in overseas matches, especially in India and England. Warner’s performance in these conditions has been significantly lower than his home average, and his test average has been on the decline.
David Warner’s impressive performance against Pakistan does not negate the fact that he has struggled away from home and in challenging conditions in recent years. Despite his remarkable century, it is important to recognize that Warner’s form needs to be consistent across all conditions to truly silence his critics.