Ashes 2013-14 1st Test: David Warner’s magnificent innings and other talking points of Day 3

David Warner (right) celebrates after reaching his fourth Test ton © Getty Images

Australia stand on the brink of going 1-0 up in the first Ashes 2013-14 Test after Day Three in Brisbane at The Gabba. They need to take eight England wickets as they chase an improbable target of 561 runs. David Warner and Michael Clarke struck fluent centuries on the day to swing the momentum completely in Australia’s favour. Shrikant Shankar looks back at the day’s play…

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David Warner jumps to the occasion

David Warner exulted in joy after scoring his century on Day Three of the first Ashes 2013-14 Test in Brisbane. Warner completed running three runs and first raised his helmet and bat to soak in the crowd’s appreciation. Then while crossing close friend Joe Root, he jumped in the air showing his delight. Although that may or may not have been planned, Warner played a superb innings. He looked very comfortable in the first innings, but got out to a poor shot. The left-hander made no mistake this time as he scored his fourth Test century and his first in an Ashes match. He would have been disappointed to get out, but he did his job and now looks well settled in the Australian batting line-up.

Michael Clarke comes to the party

If Warner’s innings was a joy to watch, then Michael Clarke’s was not any lesser. The duo batted in contrasting manner, but was brilliant together. Their 158-run partnership was nearly faultless and took the game completely away from England. The Australian captain got out cheaply in the first innings, but was supreme on Saturday. The use of his feet against the England spinners was sublime and he went onto score 113 off 130 balls. His decision to bat first after winning the toss now seems like a great one.

Graeme Swann gets congratulated by teammates after conceding 100 runs

Graeme Swann has not had many poorer Test matches than this one. At one point teammates James Anderson and Stuart Broad went over to sarcastically congratulate him for conceding over 100 runs without taking a single wicket. The world’s premier off-spinner was dispatched for fours and sixes by Australia’s top and middle-order batsmen. Their ploy of playing eight right-handed batsmen seemed to have paid off. Even the left-handers in Warner and Mitchell Johnson played him with ease. This is a concern as England need Swann firing on all cylinders if they are to win the Ashes for a fourth straight time. He did take two wickets and ironically both were right-handers — first Clarke and then George Bailey were bowled.
 

 
Brad Haddin proves worth in Aussie line-up

On the eve of the first Test, former Australian coach Mickey Arthur said that the selection of Brad Haddin as Australia’s wicketkeeper for the Ashes was a step backwards and his position was unsustainable. But Haddin scored an important 94 in Australia’s first innings and scored an enterprising 53 in the second. He has proved his worth in the Australian set-up. He is definitely a candidate for the Man of the Match.

i am overjoyed for brad haddin. he’s fought many battles and been through a lot. just shows what a tough cricketer he is.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 23, 2013

England’s Trotting problem

The Australian bowlers have devised a strategy to get the better of Jonathan Trott. They successfully bowled a leg-stump line to him in the 2013 Ashes. Johnson got him out in the first innings caught behind and got him in the second as well. Trott’s tendency to hop over to the off side and work the ball on the leg side has been exposed. The worrying factor for England is that the way he has been getting out does not seem to stop. England need one of their top batsman to score big runs. Trott and England need to address the situation quickly.

(Shrikant Shankar is a writer/reporter at CricketCountry.com. Previously he has done audio commentary for various matches involving India, Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20 for ESPNSTAR.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Shrikant_23)