In a cricketing spectacle for the ages, Australian opener David Warner etched his name in history as he notched up his 20th One Day International (ODI) century against South Africa at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. Warner’s remarkable feat catapulted him past the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who had held the record for the most international centuries by an opening batsman, with a staggering 45 tons in 346 matches.
Warner reached this historic milestone during his 343rd international appearance, requiring 428 innings to achieve this monumental feat. A comparison reveals the sheer magnitude of his achievement, as Tendulkar, an iconic figure in the world of cricket, took 342 innings to amass his record as an opener.
This groundbreaking moment unfolded during the second ODI against South Africa, where Warner showcased his prowess with a breathtaking innings of 106 runs from just 93 deliveries. His contribution played a pivotal role in Australia’s commanding total of 392 for 8, after being sent in to bat first. Alongside Warner, Marnus Labuschagne also exhibited his batting brilliance, registering a splendid century with 124 runs off 99 deliveries.
Warner’s record-breaking century further embellishes his already illustrious collection of centuries across various formats of the game. He now boasts an astonishing tally of 20 centuries in ODIs, complemented by 25 in Test matches and 1 in T20 Internationals.
This remarkable achievement propels Warner into an elite fraternity of opening batsmen who have notched up 40 or more international centuries. Alongside Warner and Tendulkar, this exclusive roster includes West Indies’ Chris Gayle, who has amassed an impressive 42 centuries in 506 innings, Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya with 41 tons in 563 innings, and Australia’s Matthew Hayden, who secured 40 centuries in 340 innings.
Among the current crop of players, Indian captain Rohit Sharma takes the lead with an impressive 39 international centuries in 312 innings as an opener. Overall, Rohit ranks 6th in this distinguished list, underscoring the remarkable achievements of these exceptional batsmen.
Warner’s historic century not only solidifies his status as one of the most prolific opening batsmen in the annals of cricket but also underscores his invaluable contributions to the Australian cricket team, elevating his legacy to iconic proportions.
