3 famous Test triple hundreds by openers

Australian opener David Warner entered the record books on Saturday after posting his maiden triple hundred in Test cricket. The left-hander slammed an unbeaten 335 on daay two of the Adelaide Test against Pakistan as the hosts declared their first innings on a mammoth 589 for 3. In response, Pakistan fought back via Yasir Shah's maiden century to post 302 at the end of their first innings.

Warner’s 335 not out is now the highest score in a day-night Test trumping the unbeaten 302 by Pakistan’s Azhar Ali against West Indies at Dubai in 2016. Warner’s knock is also now the highest Test score at the Adelaide Oval. Don Bradman’s 299 was the previous best. The opener’s 335 not out is now the second highest Test score by an Australian after Matthew Hayden's 380 vs Zimbabwe. He went past former captains Bradman and Mark Taylor, both of whom registered highest Test scores of 334.

In terms of quickness, Warner’s triple hundred is the fourth fastest in history, coming off 389 balls. In the wake of Warner’s sensational achievement, we look back at some famous triple hundreds by openers in Test history.

Also see – BBL schedule

#1 Sir Len Hutton

Way back in 1938, England legend Sir Len Hutton, opening the innings, compiled 364 while facing 847 balls in the fifth Test against Australia at The Oval in August that year. England batted first, and Hutton occupied the crease for 797 minutes during which he hit 35 fours. It was a record for the highest Test score until Gary Sobers made 365. Thanks to Hutton’s heroics, England posted a mammoth 903 for 7 declared. Maurice Leyland made 187 and Joe Hardstaff was unbeaten on 169 as England’s batsmen terrorised Aussie bowlers.

Australia managed only 201 and 123 all out as Bradman was absent hurt, resulting in a massive victory for the hosts, who triumphed by an innings and 579 runs.