Warner makes fitting tribute to Hughes

Australia's David Warner looks up at the sky after losing his wicket during the first day of a cricket test match against India in Adelaide, Australia on Tuesday. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Warner made a brilliant 145 on day one of the delayed first Test against India in Adelaide, which was preceded by tributes to Hughes.

He raised his bat to the heavens upon reaching 50, 63 – Hughes’s score when he was fatally struck by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game – and 100 and upon his dismissal.

Warner said: “I like to do a little bit of a celebration but that was definitely for him today.

“I knew the little man up there was with me at the other end and it all fell into place.

“When I scored my first hundred, he was at the other end and I dedicate that hundred to him today.

“Out of the 10 that I’ve scored now, that was probably the best. I owe that to him, I know he’ll be proud of us.”

Warner was playing for New South Wales and raced to Hughes’s side when the South Australia batsman was felled by Sean Abbott’s delivery on November 25.

Hughes died two days later, aged 25, and there were questions about whether Warner would be emotionally ready to take on India.

Australia’s stumps total of 354-6 saw Warner put on 118 with captain Michael Clarke, who retired hurt on 60 after aggravating his troublesome back injury, who could be a doubt for the rest of the series.