A hundred by David Warner gave Australia control of the fourth Test against England in Melbourne, ending day one on 244-3.
During a 122-run partnership the Aussie openers struggled in the middle session as they only scored 45 runs and lost their wickets but not before Warner notched up his 21st Test ton.
Warner’s ton came after he was reprieved on 99 and it was a heartbreak moment for Cape-Town born Tom Curran, who made his Test debut in place of the injured Craig Overton.
Warner had been stuck in the nineties for some time when he skied a short-arm pull and was caught at mid-on. The opener sank to his knees in disbelief after throwing his innings away on 99, but England’s celebration was short-lived. The third umpire confirmed that Curran had overstepped, and Warner was reprieved.
He went on to raise his bat in celebration but he only added four runs during his second chance after he edged James Anderson behind.
England, 3-0 down and looking to avoid a series whitewash, removed Usman Khawaja for 17 but, ominously, Steve Smith is at the crease on 65, alongside Shaun Marsh on 31.
Curran is the son of former Zimbabwe, Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire all-rounder Kevin.
Spotted by former Surrey captain Ian Greig, the brother of ex-England skipper Tony, Curran moved to England to attend Wellington School in 2012.
Soon after, his father collapsed while jogging and died at the age of 53.
Photo: Julian Smith/EPA/BackpagePix
