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Australia dominated the opening session of the series
opener at Optus Stadium as opener David Warner began his Test cricket swansong
with a quick half-century to counter an uninspired Pakistani attack alongside
Usman Khawaja.
After winning the toss, Pat Cummins chose not to bowl
first on the wicket, which was predicted to be fast and bouncey. It turned out
to be a smart decision as Warner and Khawaja amassed their first century
opening partnership in home Test partnerships in 26 innings by batting through
the session.
There had been doubts about Warner’s reception from a
pampered Perth crowd, following a recent public altercation with former
team-mate and adopted local Mitchell Johnson.
But as Warner soon reached his half-century off of 41
balls, the crowd cheered him on. Warner demonstrated why he will be difficult
to replace when he leaves the format at the end of the series, despite the fact
that his Test position has been continuously questioned.
Khawaja gained notoriety prior to the match after
being prohibited from donning sneakers that reflected his humanitarian beliefs.
In contrast to Warner, Khawaja batted solidly while sporting a black armband.
However, on the 21st, he was given a life when he top-edged a brief delivery
from rookie fast Aamer Jamal, only for Abdullah Shafique to try a clumsy
runback from slips.
Compared to the dismal comparable Test between
Australia and the West Indies last year, the surface was livelier. In a
terrible start for the tourists looking to end a 14-Test losing record in
Australia, Pakistan’s quicks failed to bowl consistently on a menacing back of
a length despite obvious bounce and pace, especially with the new ball.
The batters were challenged by a few offerings that
reared, but far too many balls were full and quickly removed. The other seamers
felt rather pedestrian following a six-over burst from left-arm spearhead
Shaheen Shah Afridi, which put Pakistan’s selection gambles under close
scrutiny.
Despite initial hope of attracting 30,000 fans for day
one, the ground was sparsely populated with some hardy fans braving the newly
installed three-tiered hill which was not protected from the sun bar some shade
sails.
Those fans will not be displeased as they look forward
to settling in after lunch as Warner and Khawaja eye hundreds.