David Warner provided a poignant tribute to Phillip Hughes as he powered Australia to a score of 2-113 at lunch on day one of the first Test against India.
The dismissals of Chris Rogers and Shane Watson, both out edging when Shikhar Dhawan snaffled a catch at second slip, tempered Australia’s momentum at Adelaide Oval.
But captain Michael Clarke – who remarked after winning the toss that his teammates were “going as well as they possibly can” following Hughes’ death – and Warner were largely untroubled by the tourists.
Warner was 75 not out at the meal break, while Clarke was on nine.
Veteran seamer Ishant Sharma was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers, ending the initial run spree then enticing Rogers to drive.
Warner had raced to 32 off 15 balls, unleashing cover driver after cover drive as Mohammed Shami and Varun Aaron gave him too much width with the new ball.
The left-hander reined in his aggression, but needed only 45 deliveries to pass 50 with a ninth boundary.
There was no jubilant celebration.
With thoughts of Hughes on his mind, Warner instead closed his eyes and looked to the sky.
The 28-year-old Warner was in the field for NSW when close friend Hughes was struck and fatally injured by a bouncer on November 28 during a Sheffield Shield game at the SCG.
Warner rushed to Hughes’ aid when he hit the ground.
He didn’t leave his former Test opening partner’s side until Hughes was taken to hospital for emergency brain surgery.
Hughes died two days later, his final knock finishing 63 not out.
When Warner reached 63, he again grabbed his bat and gazed up to the heavens.
The crowd stood for 63 seconds of applause prior to the match, one of many tributes to Hughes.
Clarke was also given a loud standing ovation when he came out to bat, a mark of respect for his superb leadership following the death of his close friend.
The first bouncer, delivered by Aaron at 145 km/hr in the fourth over, was also applauded.
Aaron’s opening spell lasted two overs, costing 23 runs, but the express paceman returned to remove Watson.
