David Warner has fought through significant pain to notch his first half-century of the Ashes tour. There were many questions as to whether Warner would be able to play like his usual self with reports of a "battered" hand that has developed since arriving in the United Kingdom.
Warner has been a victim of some heavy scrutiny by the media due to his lack of form. Many commented on his intentions to retire next year at Sydney, and whether the form he was in could potentially impact the results of the Australian team.
The Australian camp had been insistent Warner remains in good touch, but the hard numbers showed that he had passed fifty just once in his previous 19 Test innings coming into this Test.
After a discouraging innings to begin his Ashes campaign at Edgbaston, many waited to see if the long-serving opener could perform at the famous Lord's Test.
The 36-year-old put off many threats from the English attack with the new ball and was able to survive until an early session rain delay. It was evident that Warner was dealing with some early struggles but persevered to see some early runs
"It's copped a battering the last two games and in the nets, so it's a little bit sore at the moment," Warner told reporters after being dismissed.
"(There is a) bit of a bruise but I'll just see how we go after the game and I think we'll examine it then. At the moment it's quite tender."
Warner insisted he was never in doubt to play this week and did not suggest he is in doubt for the rest of the series.
"Initially it was more in the palm, I've got a hot-spot where my palm is and every time the ball hits the bat, it just jars," he said.
"Then today I got hit in the knuckle again where Mohammad Shami hit me in that World Test Championship (final earlier this month).
"Our batting coach got me in the nets two days ago, so it's a bit sore. But I've had my hand in an ice bucket all afternoon, so we'll assess it after the game."
Warner went on to score an impressive 66 from 88 balls at a strike rate of 75.00. A strike rate that would remind many viewers of his vintage batting stye. The former vice-captainย was eventually bowled by newcomer Josh Tongue with an in-swinger.
"Back then it was (a case of) being told a few different things, being told to defend and look to let those balls in the areas go โฆ naturally I think I got in positions too front-on (in 2019)," said Warner.
"Now when I'm looking to score my defence takes care of itself. Naturally those balls will go to mid-on if I'm defending.
"Back then I was looking to defend when I first got out there, I wasn't actually looking to score.
"When I'm at my best, I'm looking to score all the time and then I get into better positions to defend. Then if you play and miss you're happy. From my perspective I'm happy to nick off if I'm in a position to score."
Warner's batting style again showed some techniques that are not often displayed in test cricket. Warner was seen playing a ramp inspired flick shot in just the sixth over against Ollie Robinson.
"I'd been practicing in the nets and in white-ball (cricket) I play it quite a bit," said Warner, who was eventually bowled by newcomer Josh Tongue with an in-swinger.
"I always said in the back of my mind, if they set a field where the guy was square on the (leg-side) boundary and they're just trying to hit their lengths, I'd play it. I did that.
"The second one was more of a length thing. I felt the line he was bowling, if he bowled it fractionally a bit shorter I could go with it and play that shot.
"It is risky but in my mind I'm trying to put them off their line and length."
Warner will hope to back up an impressive display in his second innings at Lord's, after helping contribute to a 5/339 total after day one. Play is expected to be interrupted for a large portion of the afternoon with some heavy showers expected in London overnight and throughout the day.
