David Warner hits ton for Australia as Michael Clarke hobbles off
Batsman pays tribute to late teammate Phillip Hughes on 50, 63 and 100 runs but the home side lose their captain Michael Clarke to injury
David Warner paid a moving tribute to Phillip Hughes in compiling a brilliant century, but Australia's joy was tempered with another injury to captain Michael Clarke on an emotional opening day of the first test against India on Tuesday.
Warner's sparkling 145 from 163 balls had the hosts off to a flying start at a sun-drenched Adelaide Oval, and though India captured a flurry of late wickets, Steven Smith added an unbeaten 72 after tea to push Australia to 354 for six at stumps.
I was proud of the guys firstly just to be able to walk on to the ground today
A day that began solemnly with tributes to Hughes ended with grave concerns over the fitness of Clarke, who retired hurt on 60 with a lower back injury.
Having raced to be fit for the match after suffering a third hamstring strain in three months, Clarke's new injury will raise questions over his management, and whether sentimentality trumped sense in his selection for the match.
Batsman Virat Kohli, who replaced the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India captain, lost the all-important toss and watched his bowlers initially toil on an unhelpful wicket.
After Warner was caught in the deep when slogging debutant leg spinner Karn Sharma, Smith and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh added another 87 runs before the latter was caught behind off the bowling of paceman Varun Aaron. Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was bowled for three by Mohammed Shami before wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was caught behind for a duck, bringing the day to a close.
