Warner, Head on all-time opening partnership pace as monster stand, Marnus ton help Aussies pummel Proteas

Centurion David Warner says a combined and calculated hard-at-it approach in the first 10 overs is the key to his extraordinarily successful opening-wicket alliance with Travis Head in ODIs as Australia celebrated their latest hammering of South Africa.

Warner and Head now average a Bradman-esque 100.55 as an opening pair after bludgeoning South Africa’s bowlers for a 109-run union to set up Australia’s comprehensive 123-run win in the second ODI at Bloemfontein on Saturday (Sunday morning AEST), securing a 2-0 series lead.

To put those numbers into context, Warner and longtime partner Aaron Finch averaged 47.94 as an opening pair, while Australia’s most prolific opening duo, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, averaged 47.44.

Warner and Head’s output together virtually doubles that of iconic West Indian duo Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (52.55), and India’s legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly (49.32).

“He (Head) had a bit of a crack at me for the last game, getting out on zero,” Warner laughed after bouncing back with a bri

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