David Warner put a week of controversy behind him and hit a sparkling century for Australia on the first day of the series-deciding third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands today.
Warner made 121 not out off 132 balls as Australia reached 195 for two at tea.
South Africa suffered a blow when strike bowler Dale Steyn, who took the first wicket, left the field with what appeared to be a hamstring injury midway through the afternoon after bowling one ball of the fourth over of his third spell.
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Warner was fined 15 percent of his match fee and criticised by his captain, Michael Clarke, after making 'inappropriate comments' suggesting ball tampering by South Africa after the second Test in Port Elizabeth.
But if the left-handed opening batsman was affected by the controversy he showed no sign of it. He was in charge from virtually the first ball he faced after Clarke won the toss and claimed first use of an easy-paced pitch.
Fellow opener Chris Rogers got the innings off to a good start by hitting two fours in Steyn's first over but Warner quickly became the dominant partner in an opening stand of 65, scored at almost five runs an over.
Steyn conceded 18 runs in his first two overs from the southern, Kelvin Grove end and was taken off.
The total reached 65 at almost five runs an over before Steyn returned from the Wynberg end and had Rogers caught at first slip for 25 off the third delivery of his new spell.
Warner continued to play attacking strokes and reached his fourth successive score of 50 or better with the help of four overthrows after facing just 50 balls.
Alex Doolan made 20 in a second wicket stand of 73 with Warner before he mistimed a pull against Vernon Philander and was well caught by Steyn, running around from mid-on.
Warner, who was dropped five times in his previous three innings of 115, 70 and 66, did not offer a chance in making his seventh Test century although when he was on 95 the South Africans thought he had been caught behind down the leg side by AB de Villiers off Steyn.
