Ten years ago, the Big Bash League (BBL) was announced for the first time and we didn’t expect fireworks right from the start but there was one man who only knew one way, and that’s none other than Australian opening batsman, David Warner. Now a super accomplished batsman, Warner was known as a T20 specialist earlier, and he also holds the record for the first century in BBL history…
It was only Match 2 of BBL 2011/12 and fans were still getting used to the tournament and its rules and the format, when Warner decided to announce himself for his then franchise, Sydney Thunder. He was captain of the team and decided to field first after winning the toss on 17th December 2011, playing against Melbourne Stars, with both teams playing their first respective games of the Big Bash League.
Batting first, Stars got themselves a pretty par score of 153/7 thanks to a fifty from the now happily retired David Hussey. They had batsmen coming in all the way down till number #7, where Luke Wright came in and hit a quickfire 27* as well. With the ball, both of Scott Coyte and Doug Bollinger picked up 2 wickets apiece for Thunder, playing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
SEE ALSO: List of top online sports betting websites
When the chase began, Thunder was hit early with the wickets of Usman Khawaja and Chris Gayle, reducing them to 25/2 within the first four overs itself. However, captain David Warner decided to keep attacking from the other end, striking a small partnership with Daniel Smith until the latter was dismissed for 21(24). The fourth wicket fell soon after as Craig Philipson was dismissed for just 2 runs.
And even though the wickets were falling at one end, Warner kept scoring at a strike rate of 2 runs a ball, and he got them home with 6 wickets and an entire over to spare. Ben Dunk hit the winning boundary and ended with 19(21)* but Warner stole the show with his 102(51)* while bringing up what was and will always remain the first individual century in the history of the Big Bash League.
During that innings, he struck 6 fours and 6 sixes and dominated all the bowlers of Melbourne Stars, ending his innings with a strike rate of exactly 200, and of course winning the Man of the Match award for this innings. Captaining Thunder, it was a great start for Warner personally and also for the team, beginning their BBL 2011/12 campaign on a winning note.
SEE ALSO: List of fantasy sports websites in India
Over the years, Warner didn’t get many chances to build on his scores in the BBL because he was always a part of the national side over the last decade or so, but he’ll never forget this maiden BBL century. Elsewhere around the world however, Warner smashed four centuries (updated Dec 2021) in the Indian Premier League, and you can see his entries into the list of all-time IPL centuries here.
He even took on legendary spinner Shane Warne during this knock, who only got 2 overs for 19 runs. Warner spanked an unbeaten century in Match 2 of the season after getting two catches during the fielding innings as well, and shone bright in front of 23,000+ spectators at the MCG that evening! For more updates on the top BBL centuries, make sure you stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
Register on 10Cric and get a whopping 100% first deposit bonus
