Melbourne (AFP) - Pugnacious opener David Warner was unbeaten on 86 in his 100th Test on Tuesday, passing 8,000 Test runs in the process, as Australia consolidated their advantage in searing heat against South Africa in Melbourne.
At lunch on day two of the second Test, the hosts were 136-2, adding 91 to their overnight score for the loss of Marnus Labuschagne to close in on South Africa's first innings total of 189.
With temperatures heading for 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit), Warner showed his trademark grit under mounting pressure after a lean run, having not scored a Test century since January 2020.
Steve Smith was alongside him on 21 after an escape on nine when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
Australia resumed on 45-1, having lost Usman Khawaja late Monday after taking charge of the opening day, with Cameron Green's career-best 5-27 helping dismiss the visitors for under 200 once again.
The Proteas were all out for 152 and 99 in the first Test at Brisbane, which they lost by six wickets inside two days, with the fragility of their batting on full display.
Warner began on 32 after an attacking start during the final hour on Monday and carried the aggression into day two with an early boundary off Kagiso Rabada.
Anrich Nortje was routinely sending down 150 kph (93 mph) rockets, smacking Warner on the head when he was on 47. The batter was given the all clear after a mandatory concussion test on the field, with a lengthy delay as a new helmet was found.
When play resumed, disaster struck two balls later.
Warner pushed Nortje for a single and came back for a second, but Labuschagne hesitated and was run out on 14 despite a lunging dive.
Unfazed, Warner reached his 35th Test half-century with a single off Rabada, characterised by his trademark strong running between the wicket, while picking off loose balls.
