Australian vice-captain David Warner became the center of attraction on day three of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). David Warner had a few words with Carlos Brathwaite before he was dismissed by West Indies bowler.
In a one-sided series, hostilities between the Australians and West Indians have been nowhere to be seen, especially from the hosts' point of view.
However, there was some spice as the tourists mounted their most stiff resistance yet and very unsurprisingly Warner was in the middle of it.
The 29-year-old is now a senior member of the Australian squad, and has a quite a reputation for engaging in verbal sparring sessions.
On Monday afternoon at the MCG he was not quite back to his old ways but there was an indication he won't be pushed around as he clashed with tall Caribbean bowlers Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite.
Brathwaite, who eventually had Warner caught by Holder at gully, for 17, sparking an exuberant, sliding celebration, said taking on the Australian verbally had been a tactic. The MCG has not been a happy hunting ground for Warner. The crowd was evidently unhappy following his dismissal.
Adding to Warner's frustration was the continuing of his underwhelming record against his most unlikely of teams.
While Adam Voges (twice), Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns have all hit centuries, the hard-hitting batsman has missed out on all the fun.
Warner's Test average soared over 50 in a year in which only three other batsmen scored more runs than him in 2015. But against the West Indies, whom he has played four matches against in 2015, his numbers are nowhere near as flash. In fact, Warner's career average of 28.69 against the world's eighth-ranked team is a genuine disappointment.
In an one-sided contest in Hobart, Australia defeated West Indies by an innings and 222 runs.
On day three stumps at MCG, Australia is leading by 459 runs.
Australian captain Steven Smith is batting on 70 alongside Mitchell Marsh, who is on 18.
Brief Scores – AUS 551/3 decl, 179/3 (Smith 70*, Khawaja 56; Holder 2/49 ) lead WI by 459 runs
