David Warner catches up with Sourav Ganguly, breathes down Sachin Tendulkar’s neck | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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David Warner catches up with Sourav Ganguly, breathes down Sachin Tendulkar’s neck

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Dec 09, 2016 11:47 PM IST

David Warner scored his seventh ton of 2016 in the third and final ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand at the MCG on Friday. Warner’s century was a big one for he stepped on the gas and scored 156 runs to help Australia reach 264 for 8 in 50 overs, which turned out to be too much of a score for the hapless Kiwi batsmen who were bundled out for 147. In the process, he equalled a record set by Sourav Ganguly.

David Warner is enjoying the form of his life, no doubt. Well, seven centuries in a calendar year indicate a hot streak by whatever yardstick one chooses to measure with.

Australia's David Warner during the century knock in the third ODI against New Zealand at the MCG in Melbourne on Friday.(AFP)
Australia's David Warner during the century knock in the third ODI against New Zealand at the MCG in Melbourne on Friday.(AFP)

The fact that he has equalled one star of the sport, Sourav Ganguly, and is breathing down the neck of a legend — Sachin Tendulkar — should give enough motivation for the Aussie opener to keep at it. And when David Warner is at it, it is a treat to behold… Melbourne bore witness to that on Friday. (HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD)

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David Warner scored his seventh ton of 2016 in the third and final ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand at the MCG on Friday. Warner’s century was a big one for he stepped on the gas and scored 156 runs to help Australia reach 264 for 8 in 50 overs, which turned out to be too much of a score for the hapless Kiwi batsmen who were bundled out for 147.

Australia sealed the series 3-0, with Warner crediting the bowlers for the victory. “It’s a team performance,” said the southpaw. “Credit to the bowlers for coming out and executing the plans. Our batsmen had to relay the message and they did extremely well.”

The series victory is something Australia and Warner would be celebrating, especially since it comes after the side’s two back-to-back Test series defeats. However, Warner has more to be happy about.

On Friday, scoring his seventh century of the year, Warner established an Australian record and also equalled Sourav Ganguly, who is No.2 in the all-time list of century makers in a calendar year. Ganguly had scored seven centuries during his hot streak for India in 2000. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most tons in a year—nine scored in 1998.

Read more | David Warner’s record-breaking 2016 continues after MCG ton vs New Zealand

However, Warner’s record came in less matches compared to the two Indian greats. Tendulkar and Ganguly played more than 30 innings to set their record while Warner did it in just 23 innings.

If the Aussie batsman keeps his form going into next year, his average and century conversion rate suggest he could easily go on and score nine, or even more, tons in 2017.

To make things easy for him, Australia are playing a total of 22 bilateral series ODI matches in 2017, besides the matches they would play in the ICC Champions Trophy (as per the current ICC FTP).

Other statistical highlights:

* Before this year, David Warner had made only four centuries in 63 innings.

* David Warner’s percentage of Australia’s total score is 59.09. He scored 156 out of 264. It was the second highest percentage for Australia. The highest is 60.73% by Damien Martyn (116 n.o., out of 191) against New Zealand at Auckland on March 3, 2000.

* Australia’s total of 264 for eight in 50 overs is the second lowest to include a 150-plus score, behind India’s 261 against New Zealand in 1999, when Sourav Ganguly made an unbeaten 153.

Read more | Steven Smith equals Ricky Ponting’s ODI record, Australia crush New Zealand

* David Warner became the first Australia batsman to score centuries in consecutive innings in one-dayers on more than one occasion. David Warner’s first two centuries came in consecutive innings, in the first two finals of the 2012 CB series against Sri Lanka. Dean Jones, Geoff Marsh, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson did it once each for Australia.

* The 30-year old opening batsman’s 156 was the fourth 150+ score in one-dayers. It was the joint second most. Only Tendulkar (five) has more such scores than David Warner while Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle of the West Indies and Rohit Sharma have also made four 150-plus scores. No other Australia batsman has more than two 150-plus scores.

* The left-handed opening batsman’s 156 was his fourth hundred in his last six innings. Pakistan’s Zaheer Abbas, South Africa’s Abraham de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (twice) and Hashim Amla; India’s Virat Kohli, and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and are the other batsmen to score four centuries in six or fewer consecutive innings.

Stats: S Pervez Qaiser

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