27 December,2017 08:38 AM IST | Melbourne | AFP
That's what Boxing Day centurion David Warner experienced after he was nearly out for 99, then recalled and finally dismissed by James Anderson
David Warner posted a century after a no-ball reprieve and skipper Steve Smith was on track for four straight Boxing Day tons as Australia made a solid start to the fourth Ashes Test against England yesterday. Warner received a massive let-off on 99 to claim his 21st Test hundred as an Australia side chasing a series whitewash took full advantage of winning the toss on an unresponsive Melbourne Cricket Ground drop-in pitch. The aggressive opener, who had been marooned in the 90s for over 40 minutes, was poised on 99 to bring up his century as he faced the last ball of debutant Tom Curran's fifth over.
Australia's David Warner celebrates his century on Day One of the Melbourne Test against England yesterday. Australia have won the first three Tests of this season's Ashes series. PICs/GETTY IMAGES
But instead, Warner top-edged a catch to mid-on and walked off to the jubilation of the England team, only for replays to detect a no-ball for Curran overstepping, meaning the batsman was called back to the crease. Warner added further to the England team's dark mood off the next delivery when he raised his hundred off 130 balls with a flick off his hip and celebrated by leaping into the air and ripping off his helmet to salute the 88,172 Boxing Day crowd at the MCG.
But Warner didn't stay at the crease for much longer after his massive let-off, as he was caught behind off James Anderson for 103. "Obviously, I was disappointed with the way I played that shot. I was quite annoyed," Warner said. "Getting recalled was obviously fantastic. It was a bit of a roller coaster of emotions between those two deliveries, that's for sure." Smith, who hasn't been dismissed in a Melbourne Test match since Boxing Day 2014, was still batting at the close on 65 with Shaun Marsh not out 31 and Australia 244 for three.
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