Warner’s was an innings in the mould of his very best in Test cricket, whisking the game away from the opposition after Australia’s bowling unit had torn through the opposition on day one. It wasn’t quite the domineering century in the final session at Perth on day one in 2012 against India, but he raced out of the blocks on Monday to be 32 not out at stumps in less than an hour of batting.
He took on the short ball that had dismissed him in the first Test in Brisbane with fearlessness, pulling and cutting at will. He enjoyed some luck that he had lamented so far this summer with two outside edges and one inside edge finding the rope. He was also hit on the helmet on the second morning with a glancing blow while trying to pull Anrich Nortje. But he was busy and proactive as he drove relentlessly and with control off both feet.
Warner fought through a nervous period just after lunch, surviving an extraordinary spell of 150kph-plus thunderbolts from Nortje, one of which hit him flush on the left index finger and required treatment from the Australia team physio.
He brought up his century with a fine pull off Kagiso Rabada to spark a trademark, extended celebration that was full of emotion. His century came off just 144 balls.
Warner wasn’t done there, thrashing South Africa’s bowlers to all parts in the blazing afternoon heat. The temperature reached 37 degrees with hot northerly winds. He fought through cramps and heat exhaustion to thrash his second century off just 110 balls. He cramped badly while trying to celebrate his double century and was forced to retire hurt, with the physio helping him limp off the ground.