David Warner Joins Australian Elite List After Unbeaten Triple Ton vs Pakistan

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Updated: December 4, 2019
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David Warner scored his maiden triple ton in the second Test match against Pakistan in Adelaide. In the process, he decimated the opposition bowlers as they were left with no answers to counter to Warner’s brilliance. Warner hit 39 fours and a six to take Australia to 589/3 after which Smith declared the innings, Warner finished unbeaten on 335 from 418 balls, taking over the likes of Don Bradman, Mark Taylor and Michael Clarke to end up as Australia’s second-highest Test scorer. Australia whitewashed Pakistan in the two-Test series and Warner was awarded the Player of the series for his tremendous display of batsmanship. Warner went onto become the seventh Australian Test triple centurion.

Here’s a list of six other Australian cricketers to score a triple ton before Warner.

Matthew Hayden (380 vs Zimbabwe at Perth, 2003)

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It was Zimbabwe’s first-ever Test match on Australian soil and Hayden ensured that it becomes an unforgettable one for them. He hammered 380, the highest Australian Test scorer till date in 437 deliveries. He hit 38 fours and 11 sixes as Australia posted a mammoth 735/6 and won the Test match by an innings and 175 runs. Hayden went past the previous best of 375 set by Brian Lara back in 1994. Hayden was a ferocious hitter of the cricket ball and all through his knock he displayed that same attitude as he plundered the Zimbabwe all-round the dial at Perth.

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Mark Taylor (334 not out vs Pakistan at Peshawar, 1998)

Before Hayden who surpassed Lara to become Australia’s all-time highest Test scorer, Taylor’s 334 was the highest score held by an Australian batsman in Test cricket. On a placid Peshawar wicket in 1998, Taylor batted for 12 hours as Australia scored a total of 4-599. Taylor was on level terms with arguably the most gifted Test batsman ever, Sir Don Bradman. The match was drawn, but Australia won the series 1-0, and Taylor had his place in history alongside Bradman.

Sir Don Bradman ( 334 vs England at Leeds, 1930)

Bradman is engulfed after his first Test triple ton // Getty — Image Source: ( https://www.gettyimages.in/ )

Australia’s greatest ever Test batsman Sir Don Bradman played in an era where the batsmen played without helmets. Just with a baggy green cap and a willow on his hand, Bradman decimated bowlers with utmost elegance. His strokeplay was a treat to the eyes as the bowlers always felt helpless with him at the crease.

Bradman had already tallied 131 in the first innings of the first Test, 254 on the first innings of the second Test and by the end of Day 1 in the third Test, he was unbeaten on 309. He ended his innings on 334 which became synonymous with Don Bradman ever since. It was this Test series in England, which made Bradman a legendary cricketer and ever since, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have been the greatest of Test batsmen but not quite like Sir Don in terms of impact or consistency.

Michael Clarke (329 vs India in Sydney, 2012)

One of Australia’s World Cup-winning captains, Michael Clarke always played well against India. He scored 7 centuries in 22 Tests vs India including his highest Test score of 329 in Sydney. He came in with Australia at 3 for 37 after Australia bowled India out for 191 on Day 1. He ended the day unbeaten on 47 and batted through the next two days adding crucial partnerships with Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. Australia declared on 4/659 and went onto win the Test match by an innings and 68 runs.

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Bob Simpson (311 vs England in Manchester, 1964)

Simpson in action during the 1964 Ashes // Getty — Image Source: ( https://www.gettyimages.in/ )

Another of Australia’s Test legends, Bob Simpson scored 311 vs England in Manchester to become the second triple centurion after Sir Don Bradman. Leading the team in that series against England, Simpson’s innings was a masterpiece in Manchester. Simpson put on a 201-run stand with Bill Lawry (106), a pair that would later come to be remembered as one of Australia’s great opening combinations. He then brought up his triple ton having played as many as 734 deliveries which still remains a record of the most balls taken to score a triple century in Test cricket. The match ended in a draw with Australia coming into this Test match with a 1-0 lead. Australia thus won the two Test-match series 1-0. This was also Simpson’s first century in Test cricket.

Bob Cowper (307 vs England in Melbourne, 1966)

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Cowper became the first batsman to score a triple century on Australian soil surpassing Bradman’s previous best of 299 in Adelaide 34 years ago. He took all of 589 deliveries to get to that score as he batted for more than 12 hours. England bowlers were once again at the receiving end of some terrific batting from another Australian Test specialist. The match ended in a draw with the series ending in a 1-1 draw as well.

Sir Don Bradman (304 vs England at Leeds, 1934)

Four years after scoring his first ton against England at Leeds, he repeated the feat at Leeds again. It was England’s bowlers again at the receiving end of another masterclass from Sir Don. With Australia 39 for 3 in their first innings after England’s 200 in their first innings, in walked Sir Don and with opener Bill Ponsford teamed up to decimate the England bowlers. While Ponsford fell for 181, Bradman went onto score his second triple ton scoring 304. He just scored a total of 137 runs in the first three Tests but saved his best for the last game. He became the first batsman to score two triple tons and later Indian opener Virender Sehwag joined him on the list. The match was drawn but Australia won the series 2-1.