Warner Begin his Farewell Test Series in Style
Pakistan kept themselves intact with some late wickets in the last session.
STUMPS DAY 1
Australia: 346/5 (84 Overs)
David Warner playing his farewell Test series begins with an aggressive century on day one as Australia looks in a dominating position against an inexperienced Pakistan bowling at Optus Stadium.
Warner reached his 26th Test century with an uppercut to the boundary to celebrate his trademark leaping celebration. Warner has now scored six Test centuries against Pakistan with an average of 88.56. His brilliant 164 off 211 balls ended late in the day when he couldn't capitalize on a short-ball tactic from debutant pacer Aamer Jamal.
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Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey survived the second new ball and will look to a massive total on day two.
Bounce and pace were evident on Optus's surface with a smattering of grass covering it. But Pakistan's bowlers did not bowl consistently on a good length. The bowling unit is already short of specialist spinner in the playing XI and the management showed faith by opting for debutant quicks Jamal and Khurram Shahzad ahead of experienced Hasan Ali.
But Shahzad justified his selection with an impressive spell after lunch, where he bowled tightly. He was rewarded with a wicket of well-set Steven Smith who got caught behind on 31 in the final session.
Jamal, the pick of the bowler for Pakistan, was the only one who took multiple wicket-takers, having also claimed Travis Head, who was caught at fly slip on 40 in a well-worked plan.
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Pakistan's Test Vice Captain Afridi who took the most burden of the day finished with 1 for 75 off 19 overs unable to put any pressure. Pakistan's fielding was also not up to the mark as they dropped multiple chances helping the Aussies to end on 346/5 with a Run Rate of 4.11.
On day 2 Australia will be looking for a massive tally of runs before attacking aggressively with the bowl. Nathan Lyon will have to wait to bowl as he is four away from his 500th Test wicket.
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