David Warner marks milestone with double century as Australia dominate South Africa

Opener forced to retire unbeaten on 200 as hosts reach stumps on Day 2 at 383-3 for a 197-run lead

David Warner of Australia reacts after making a double century during Day 2 of the Second Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, 27 December 2022. EPA / JAMES ROSS EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

David Warner raises his bat to celebrate scoring his double century with teammate Travis Head. AFP

David Warner celebrates after reaching his double century and is applauded by Australia teammate Travis Head. AP

David Warner after retiring hurt after making a double century for Australia against South Africa. AFP

David Warner exits the field after retiring hurt after making a double century. EPA

David Warner is assisted from the field as he retires injured after reaching 200 runs. AP

David Warner is assisted from the field as he retires injured after reaching his double century. AP

Steve Smith bats during Day 2 of the second Test between Australia and South Africa. Getty

Steve Smith bats during the second Test between Australia and South Africa. Getty

Steve Smith rest during a drinks break. Getty

South Africa bowler Anrich Nortje celebrates the wicket of Steve Smith, caught out by Theunis de Bruyn. Getty

Steve Smith leaves the field after being dismissed. Getty

Travis Head bats during Day 2 of the second Test match between Australia and South Africa. EPA

Travis Head bats during Day 2 of the second Test match between Australia and South Africa. Getty

Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner run between the wickets. AFP

Anrich Nortje is congratulated by teammates after running out Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne. AFP

David Warner marked his 100th Test in ultimate style by hitting a superb unbeaten double century before retiring in pain as Australia dominated the second day of their Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

On a scorching hot Tuesday, the hosts were 386-3 at stumps, leading by 197 after the Proteas were dismissed in their first innings for 189. Travis Head was not out 48 with Alex Carey on nine.

Steve Smith (85) and Marnus Labuschagne (14) were the only wickets to fall, but worryingly for Australia, Cameron Green, who took 5-27 in South Africa's first innings, also retired hurt after a nasty rap on the finger from Anrich Nortje.

Smith and Warner's 239-run partnership took the game further away from South Africa, whose bowlers toiled in temperatures touching 37 degrees Celsius.

Warner, 36, snapped a near-three-year century drought in typically aggressive and gritty fashion, reaching three figures for the 25th time after coming into the game under pressure after a lean run.

It was his first Test hundred since January 2020 and as the opposition bowlers tired, he battled the elements and converted it to 200 for only the third time.

But it was an exhausting effort, as he passed 8,000 Test runs en route. Chairs had to be brought out for Warner and Smith to rest on in the drinks breaks, with towels draped over their heads and ice-packs around their shoulders.

Warner needed treatment for cramp several times and retired in pain after reaching 200 and dropping to his knees, eventually helped from the field by support staff.

Australia resumed on 45-1, having lost Usman Khawaja late on Monday after taking charge of the opening day, with Green's heroics helping dismiss the visitors for under 200 again.

South Africa were all out for 152 and 99 in the first Test in Brisbane, which they lost by six wickets inside two days.

Warner began on 32 and showed his aggressive intent with an early boundary off Kagiso Rabada.

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.

But disaster struck two balls after play resumed. Warner pushed Nortje for a single and came back for a second, but Labuschagne hesitated and was run out despite a lunging dive.

Unfazed, Warner put his head down to motor to 100, punching the air when he got there with a boundary after a near-flawless knock characterised by his trademark strong running between the wicket.

Smith was not as comfortable, escaping on nine when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and then on 39 when he was given out caught behind only for it to be called a no-ball after Rabada overstepped the mark. But he persevered to reach a 37th Test fifty with a four off Marco Jansen.