Cricket: Quickfire Warner counts India out

Published on Saturday 14 January 2012 02:27

Australia opener David Warner believes India are already a beaten team after his blazing century – the equal fourth fastest in Test history – capped a wholly dominant opening day of the third Test in Perth.

After Australia’s all-pace attack rattled out the tourists for 161, Warner cemented his side’s advantage by reaching triple figures in 69 balls. Australia reached the close on 149 for no wicket – just 12 runs in arrears.

The tourists are 2-0 down in the four-Test series and, after smashing them to all parts of the WACA ground, Warner claimed it is only a matter of by how much his side win the series.

“In my mind I think they’re bowled over already,” said Warner. “Hopefully, we can capitalise on the start we’ve got and win this Test first. We’re 2-0 up in the series. Hopefully we can put 400-500 runs on the board and bowl them out again. If we can take the series that will be fantastic. Time will tell if we win 4-0 or 3-0.”

Should India be whitewashed, it would be the second consecutive away series they have lost 4-0, after their drubbing by England in the summer.

And Warner warned that, with veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in the winter of their careers, the near future could become even more difficult for India. “The challenge I see for them is I think they need to find out how they can play outside of India,” he said. “When Tendulkar leaves and Dravid and those types of blokes retire in a couple of years, where’s India cricket going to be in a couple of years? They are going to have to come here and find a way to work hard on green wickets.”

Warner’s innings overshadowed another impressive bowling display from Australia’s bowlers after skipper Michael Clarke opted to use a four-pronged pace attack after winning the toss. Ben Hilfenhaus (four for 43) again led the way while Peter Siddle (three for 42) chipped in with key wickets.

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