Warner Punishes India On Emotive Day

David Warner scored an exhilarating century and Michael Clarke retired hurt as Australia posted 354-6 on an emotional opening day of the first Test against India.

Warner (145) reached his 10th Test ton off just 106 balls in Adelaide and smacked 19 fours before holing out to Ishant Sharma off the bowling of Karn Sharma in the evening session.

Australia captain Clarke (60), who battled a hamstring injury to feature in the game, gave his opener ample support but exited play shortly before after being troubled by a back strain.

The morning began with tributes to the late Australia batsman Phillip Hughes, who never regained consciousness after being struck by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match in late November.

Hughes was named as the honorary 13th man, while his Test number, 408, was painted on the grass in front of the Sir Donald Bradman Pavilion and a video tribute, narrated by Richie Benaud, was shown before play.

The crowd also applauded for 63 seconds prior to the match, in recognition of the score Hughes was on when he was hit by Sean Abbott’s delivery while playing for South Australia against New South Wales.

Australia elected to bat after winning the toss at a sun-bathed Adelaide Oval and Warner, who was in the New South Wales side when Hughes was struck, wasted little time going after India’s bowlers.

The 28-year-old thumped seven boundaries in the first four overs and continued at a rapid pace thereafter, rendering Chris Rogers (9) and Shane Watson (14) as mere bystanders.

Clarke was given a rousing reception by the crowd as he strolled out to bat with Australia on 88-2 in the 19th over and dominated the middle session with Warner before he left the crease with injury after swivelling away from an Ishant Sharma bouncer.

Steven Smith (72 not out) also shone for the Baggy Greens while batting with Warner, who raised his blade to the sky in memory of Hughes when he reached 50, 63 and three figures.

Warner’s dismissal with the score on 258 handed debutant leg-spinner Sharma his first Test wicket, but didn’t overly derail Australia’s charge, with Smith and Mitchell Marsh (41) crunching 87 in an entertaining partnership.

Virat Kohli, standing in as India captain with MS Dhoni recuperating from a thumb injury, pouched Marsh in the slips late on, before night watchman Nathan Lyon (3) and Brad Haddin (0) also lost their wickets.