David Warner became the first Australian since Bradman 87 years ago to make a century in the opening session on the first day, after smashing a whirlwind century before lunch in the third Test against Pakistan Tuesday.
He also became the only person to achieve the feat during a Test match in Australia.
In history, only four other people have managed the feat — with the last instance happening in October, 1976.
The left-hander slammed his 18th Test hundred and third at the Sydney Cricket Ground off 78 balls to reach three figures in just 117 minutes with 17 fours.
On one count, though, he fell short of Virender Sehwag — a man who made a habit of scoring blitzkreig 100s.
His 100 was so fast, that it could be fit into a tweet!
Warner’s hundred in a tweet
.4..443..4.4.2..14…44.1.14..4…..1….22414….4.14.1.4.1..11…11142141123#AUSvPAK— PinkTest.com.au (@DennisCricket_) January 3, 2017
Warner said he was honoured to join the likes of Donald Bradman.
Bradman was the last Australian to do so with 105 in Leeds in 1930 on his way to 334, with fellow countrymen Victor Trumper hitting 103 in Manchester in 1902 and Charlie Macartney scoring 112 at Leeds in 1926.
“That’s obviously an honour and privilege to be amongst the greats of the game,” Warner said.
“It’s great to be out there with those guys. Hopefully I can continue with that great start and positive approach.”
Watch his “rapid ton” here:
Warner’s knock eclipsed his previous fastest century at the SCG — off 82 balls in last year’s Test against the West Indies.
Warner said reaching three figures before lunch was not paramount, but that he felt the adrenalin rising as the century drew closer.
“It wasn’t nerve-racking. I told the youngster (Renshaw) with a couple of minutes to go we have to knuckle down and get through to lunch and be patient,” he said.
“Obviously as a batsman when the adrenalin is pumping and you know it’s around the corner you are probably always going to have a dig.”
Warner was finally out 20 minutes after lunch, caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed off Wahab Riaz for 113 off 95 balls with 17 fours.
Vice-captain Warner has now scored 5,206 runs in 60 Tests at an average of 49.11.
Featured image: PTI
(With AFP inputs)