David Warner comes back to form with swashbuckling ton against South Africa

Australian opener David Warner snapped his bad form with the bat with a sizzling ton. The left-handed batter scored his 20^th ODI century on Saturday against South Africa during the 2^nd ODI. The match was played at Bloemfontein with Australia holding a 1-0 lead after winning the 1^st game.

Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first to make use of the better batting conditions under lights. There were three changes for the home team with Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee, and Keshav Maharaj missing out. Andile Phelukwayo, Anrich Nortje and Shamsi came in to the XI. Tim David and Aaron Hardie made their ODI debut as Nathan Ellis came in for the visitors.

David Warner sends an ominous message with a sizzling ton

Australian opener David Warner has been in mixed form with the bat lately. The left-handed batter had just played 2 ODI games this year scoring 23 runs with the bat. Warner got going in his familiar style as he put the South African bowlers to the sword.

David Warner became the 2^nd highest ODI century maker for Australia when he scored his 20^th ODI century. He hit Shamsi for a boundary as he leaped in the air and removed his helmet. It was a welcome return to form for the 36-year-old ahead of the World Cup 2023 tournament.

Australia got off to a quick start as Travis Head and David Warner added 109 runs for the 1^st wicket. The stand came in just 11.5 overs as the visitors took full toll of the power-play overs. Travis Head scored 64 runs in a mere 36 balls with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes. The left-hander was dismissed by Shamsi when he was caught by David Miller. Shamsi then struck again when he had Mitchell Marsh out for a first-ball duck.

Marnus Labuschagne then joined David Warner as the pair added 151 runs for the 3^rd wicket. The 29-year-old Labuschagne had scored an unbeaten 80 in a match-winning effort to give Australia a three-wicket win in the first game. The right-handed batter had come as a concussion replacement for the injured Cameron Green in the 1^st game. The stand was broken when Phelukwayo bowled Warner for 106 off 93 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes.