Records Broken as David Warner Smashes a Triple Hundred against Pakistan in Adelaide

In 1998, Mark Taylor had scored an unbeaten 334, and being the captain, declared the innings with the satisfaction of having equalled Sir Don Bradman’s record as he would later go on to say. On Saturday, another Australian opener David Warner scored a run more than the legends and Tim Paine declared the innings for Australia, probably with the weather forecast in mind.

During the course of his innings, Warner broke a plethora of records apart from crossing Sir Don twice. He first crossed when he reached a triple hundred, crossing Bradaman’s record of highest individual score (299 not out) in Adelaide, and becoming the only player to score a triple hundred at that venue.

Warner is only the second Australian to have scored more runs in an innings than Mark Taylor and Don Bradman’s 334. Hayden’s 380, and the world record of 400 by Lara, might as well have been on the mind, if not for the declaration.

There is also only one score of over Warner’s 335 against Pakistan by any batsman in World cricket. Sir Gary Sobers had scored 365 in 1958- an innings after which  only two of the Pakistan bowlers had remained uninjured.

David Warner is the seventh Australian to have breached the 300-run mark, after Don Bradman (twice), Matthew Hayden, Mark Taylor, Bob Simpson, Bob Cowper and Michael Clarke.

Warner, the 16th batsman to have scored a triple hundred coming in as an opener, faced 418 balls in his nine hour innings, hitting 39 fours and one six. The innings looked one of sheer determination after a dismal Ashes series where a double figure score seemed a rarity.

While his triple hundred broke a few records, his second wicket partnership of 361 runs with Marnus Labuschagne had set a few records in itself. It was the highest partnership for Australia in their country, and highest by anybody at the Adelaide Oval. It was also the highest partnership in a Day/night test match and a second highest against Pakistan.

The innings also sends a statement across to those who doubted Warner’s capabilities after the Ashes series. His average in Test matches in 2019 is boosted to 53.09 from 22.64. This innings also has yielded around hundred runs more than what his previous 11 innings have.

With Warner’s triple century now, World Cricket has seen 31 scores of over 300 by 27 different batsmen.

Here’s a look at few of the other monumental innings-

Brian Lara (400 not out vs England, 2004)-

Mathew Hayden (380 vs Zimbabwe, 2003)

Virender Sehwag (319 vs South Africa, 2008)

https://youtu.be/Lk2IWMXuGN0

Michael Clarke (329 not out vs India, 2012)-