Opener David Warner revealed that his on-field exchange with Shaheen Afridi during day one of the first Australia vs Pakistan Test in Perth was simply "regular banter".
Warner was the main focus of the opening day of the Australian Test summer as he batted superbly, scoring 164 runs off 211 balls to achieve his 26th Test century. Amidst criticism from various quarters, including former teammate Mitchell Johnson, who had strongly criticised him a few days earlier, Warner responded emphatically.
Upon reaching his century, Warner marked the occasion with his customary leap in celebration, followed by a 'shush' gesture, which he confirmed after the day's play was directed towards the media.
“You saw what it was – it was a nice little quiet shush. [It was directed at] Just at anyone who wants to write stories about me and try to get headlines. That stuff doesn’t bother me. I’m allowed to celebrate how I want,” Warner said.
Warner also recounted an incident with Shaheen Afridi when both players were involved in a verbal exchange during the day’s play. He said that it was nothing serious and was just “normal banter”.
“You’ve got to try to apply pressure to their senior bowler in the first Test match. The chit chat is just normal stuff. He’s not trying to get under my skin or anything, it was just normal banter.”
Warner was particularly tough on Afridi throughout the day, securing 43 runs from the 50 balls he faced from the left-arm seamer. This included five fours and a six that surprised everyone, as he gracefully went down on one knee and skillfully scooped a length ball from off-stump over fine leg.
By the day's end, Afridi's bowling figures stood at 1-75 from 19 overs, while Australia concluded with a score of 346-5.
There had been a prior altercation between Warner and Afridi during a Test series last year, where both players stood close, staring each other down before eventually breaking into smiles.
