Warner scores a century in Perth to begin his final Test series.

After lunch, Pakistan’s bowling improved and they took out Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne.

Tea Australia 210 for 2 (Warner 111*, Smith 21*) vs Pakistan

In the opening Test match of the series at Optus Stadium, David Warner led Australia to a commanding lead by defeating an improved Pakistani attack in the second session of the first day. This was Warner’s 26th Test century.

With an upper cut to the boundary, Warner marked his century in Test cricket style and began his renowned leaping celebration. He entered the game fresh off a public altercation with his former teammate and adopted hometown of Mitchell Johnson, who is positioned at the ground.

After scoring his sixth century against Pakistan, Warner maintained his long-standing dominance over them with an average of over 90.

Warner was given a life shortly after he reached his century, as Khurram Shahzad chipped spinner Salman Ali Agha and then dropped a chance over his head at mid-on. Warner and Steven Smith are about to embark on a significant partnership. Smith looked amazing before tea.

Warner, who intends to step down following the series, has defended Pat Cummins’ choice to bat first on a hard surface, which has helped the quicks to some extent. Together with Usman Khawaja, he amassed 72 runs in a commanding opening session that resulted in Australia’s first century opening partnership in 26 innings during home Tests.

However, Warner was pushed back following lunch by Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain, and Shahzad, the quick rookie.

Shahzad was especially impressive, bowling a steady back-of-a-length line with discipline. Despite the uneven scoreboard, he made the ball jump around and occasionally rear to highlight how tricky the pitch was.

After bowling nine overs before lunch, Afridi was rewarded with Khawaja’s breakthrough on 41, when a full delivery’s late swing resulted in a faint nick. Raising his arms in celebration, he threw his arms up and backed new batsman Marnus Labuschagne, whom Afridi had already dismissed five times in Test cricket.

With four innings of 501 runs at an average of 167, Labuschagne—who has a fondness for Optus Stadium—seemed to have the perfect scenario. However, Pakistan’s comeback was maintained by seamer Faheem Ashraf, who was especially careless in the opening session, who struck Labuschagne’s knee roll after the latter failed to review the ruling.

After a wicketless first session, Pakistan was under pressure for their selection decisions, so their improved bowling was much needed medicine. The decision to choose rookie quicks Aamer Jamal and Shahzad over the more seasoned Hasan Ali was a daring one made by the hierarchy, as was the decision not to choose a specialist spinner.

With 14 runs in an opening over, Warner and Khawaja unsettled Pakistan’s inexperienced attack—a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in Test cricket since 2002. They were able to score easily, but they also had to withstand Afridi’s opening six-over burst on a surface that was livelier than the dull Test match between Australia and the West Indies last year.

However, Warner quickly capitalized on mishandled deliveries, reaching his fifty-seventh wicket in forty-one balls. His impressive scoop shot for six broke up his dominating session, and after lunch he went into a more guarded mode.

Abdullah Shafique dropped Khawaja, who was playing second fiddle, on the 21st when he was running back from the slips. After being prohibited from donning shoes that reflected his humanitarian beliefs, he entered the game in the public eye while sporting a black armband.

A complete power Australia started as predicted, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh beating out Cameron Green, his teammate from Western Australia, for the position.

The fourth Test match at Optus Stadium has a growing crowd, with a revised goal of 15,000 fans expected to be reached by the end of the day.