David Warner’s last two years has been as poor as ever. A struggle for runs, and early dismissals have highlighted his recent years in Test Cricket. The years before that though was a culmination of his journey to become the best opener of his time as he finally gets to a hundred Tests.

His career started with a lot of doubts over his abilities in Test Cricket. By the time he came into the Test team, David Warner was a prominent name in the white-ball circuit. He got a good start to his career then for his positive approach, ability to take the best of bowlers on and field like a dream. His doubts before starting Test Cricket though did not last long. He had the backing of Virender Sehwag, who said David Warner will do wonders in Test Cricket back when they were together in the Delhi Daredevils.

In 2011, he proved that he could be a Test Cricketer. He bought with him the Bazball ability back in 2011. In his second Test alone, he showed what Australia are in for as he carried his bat, almost carrying the team to win as they fell short of New Zealand’s target by a mere seven runs. Up until 2009, Australia had the reliable Matthew Hayden carrying the top-order for over a decade. His retirement left a void though which Australia tried filling using the likes of Shane Watson and Philip Hughes.

With David Warner delivering, Australia’s opening issues seemed solved. Like Hayden, David Warner came in as the aggressive opener who could dictate the pace of the game according to his own terms. An example of his ability to dictate the pace, and also demoralize an opponent was his role in the Perth Test against India in 2012. By Tea India were all-out for a mere 161. David Warner walked out and quickly wiped out the lead, while finishing with 180. He scored unbelievably quickly taking just 159 balls to make India feel as hopeless as they could.

The success he saw though was all at home early on. He was yet to prove his worth overseas. A struggle in India additionally made him look like a flat track bully. His ability to take the bowlers on though had the potential to work anywhere but still did not. In 2014 though, David Warner proved his skills overseas. He hit Three centuries in South Africa, against a strong bowling attack with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Two of his centuries came in the same Test and he made easy work of some of the best bowlers in the World.

He then showed immense character few months later as he battled personal loss. With his close friend and opening partner, Phillip Hughes passing away, David Warner and the entire Australian team were going through a tough period ahead of the India Test series. He made twin centuries again in Adelaide, in their first Test after the incident. Personally it was a good series as he showed a lot of character to get through a very tough period.

His struggles though continued overseas, and particularly in the subcontinent. Against Sri Lanka he failed to get past a few starts. His approach worked while the ball was new, but once spinners came in he struggled to force his game ahead. The same happened in India too. In four Tests in India David Warner only managed to get past fifty once in 2017.

His subcontinental struggles finally came to an end in Bangladesh. By 2017, Bangladesh were a pretty good side at home and knew how to play very well on spinning tracks. Playing on surfaces which turn square against the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, David Warner had two brilliant tons to briefly put an end to his subcontinent concerns.

Up until then David Warner continued as Australia’s undisputed opener. His partners though could not settle as he did. Around him the likes of Chris Rogers, Phillip Hughes, Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris were tried. Chris Rogers was his most prolific partner but was older. After his retirement the musical chairs among openers began, with David Warner forming successful bonds consistently with Usman Khawaja throughout his journey.

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Khawaja was in and out but still remained a very good partner and his enjoying his role with Warner now too. Warner stayed through and was also the vice-captain until the sandpaper incident threatened his career. At the age of 31 David Warner was hit with a one year suspension, threatening his Test future. The ban hit him personally as he came back different in character, losing his old aggressive and fiery personality. Earlier termed the pocket rocket for his fiery attitude and style of picking up arguments, David Warner looked to steer away from controversy as he maintained a kind and friendly approach on the field.

His Test return started in the worst possible way. He was haunted by Stuart Broad as Warner only made 95 runs in ten innings. Questions on his place started again but David Warner quickly proved his ability in the long form again as he had a dominant home season. A dominant series against Pakistan which saw David Warner get to his first triple-hundred and a good series against New Zealand helped him keep his spot.

His decline though was near. His 111 against New Zealand in 2020 was his last century. There were two nineties in the Ashes in 2021, which came in his traditional style of taking the bowlers on, but 2022 proved to be tough. He kept getting starts in the Pakistan series, which then disappeared too as Warner’s slump became worse.

He struggled in Sri Lanka and then later at home against both the West Indies and now South Africa. Over the last few weeks his positive mindset has gone away. A clear insight of the form affecting him was his decision to go to the non-strikers end against South Africa. From being a batter who loves taking the bowlers on even in the toughest conditions, he looked worried to take the strikers end.

He now comes in to his 100th Test with a lot to prove yet again in his career. He has vowed to take the bowlers on again and it will be interesting to see if his positive mindset brings a change to his form. The South African bowling line-up is one he has faced a lot over his career. They are very daunting and fast. With a good record against them though, Warner will have to prove he can be fearless and take them on.