Warner tonks ton after receiving lifeline on 99 at MCG...
Tuesday 26 December 2017 13:45, UK
A century for David Warner after a lifeline on 99 and a role for Bob Willis… all you need to know from day one of the Boxing Day Test.
David Warner enjoyed a reprieve on 99 and completed a 21st ton next ball as Australia bossed England on day one of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and closed on 244-3.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Two balls in the middle session. Tom Curran, on England debut, thought he had Warner caught at mid-on on 99 but his delight at his maiden Test wicket was soon dashed with replays showing he had overstepped.
Warner, on his way to the dressing room, made a swift turnaround and nudged Curran into the leg side next ball to score a century from 130 balls, having hammered 83 of his runs before lunch!
James Anderson admitted he could barely watch as Curran suffered at the hands of the TV umpire.
He said: "It was hard to watch really, seeing the elation in his face and then watch it drain from his face seconds later when the big screen came up. It's one of things. I guess you've got to learn the hard way - and unfortunately for him it's on debut at the MCG, Boxing Day Test match. I'm sure he'll be behind the line from now on."
Frustration for Curran, then, but he bowled with commitment and skill on his Test bow after receiving his cap from a Surrey and England legend, our very own Bob Willis!
WHAT THEY SAID
Tom Curran, talking to BT Sport: "I asked the umps how my foot was the ball before and they said "half and half, just behind" so I moved it a little bit forward. Gutted! It was horrible, the worst feeling, but looking at the positives I get to get my first wicket twice!
"It was a proud day and hopefully it's upwards from here. It was tough work - it is a good wicket and there is not a lot of pace but I kept trying my best and other days things might go a little bit different.
"It was a mixed day but great to make my debut. I found out I was playing yesterday which was a nice Christmas present. I laid in bed for an hour and my heart was racing imagining what I was going to do but once I fell asleep, I slept right through!"
David Warner, talking to BT Sport: "I am pleased but disappointed I didn't manage to go on. We always talk about cashing in and I thought I let myself and the guys down by not staying out there and getting on with it.
"It's always a milestone just to be selected in a Boxing Day Test - a childhood dream. So to score a hundred is a fantastic feeling. It's not about me, it's about the guys, and I am glad I scored some runs to put us in a good position.
"It was a hard-fought day and I thought England brought it back in the middle session - they bowled fantastically, the ball was reversing a little bit, and it was hard to score.
"Towards the end we got on a bit of a roll and as you have seen time and time again over the last couple of years, Steve Smith comes in, plays like he does and makes the game look very easy."
STAT OF THE DAY
Curran became the fifth player to miss out on a maiden Test wicket due to a no-ball this decade - and the third for England in the last four years, after Ben Stokes in 2013 and Mark Wood in 2015. Australia's Michael Beer (2011) and India's Stuart Binny (2015) complete the list.
TWEETS OF THE DAY
Mike Selvey was on the money...
Curran's no-ball riled Paul Newman...
Ireland's Andy Balbirnie thinks he may know why Cameron Bancroft played such a scratchy innings...
ATHERS' ASHES REVIEW
