Australia’s David Warner, after performing brilliantly with the bat at the MCG on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan, expressed that his side has responded well after being “kicked up the backside” by 2-1, in the three-match Test series against South Africa last month.

Warner was under pressure after unpleasant starts in past few months against Sri Lanka and the first two Tests against Proteas. Just four days after making a statement that he’ll be shredding the tag of poor Test-run in 2016, the pocket-size dynamo smashed 144 runs off 143 balls to propel his side to 278 for two at stumps on Day 3 against Pakistan.

We got a big kick up the backside that series and we’ve worked hard and that’s why we’re scoring the runs now,” Warner said.

“The conditions were conducive to seam bowling, and there was a lot of swing around. You have to keep working hard in the nets.

“It also has to do with the consistency of the opposition bowling. When you look at game two against South Africa they really had us on our throats. They had the ball in the same line and length six balls in a row, consistent pressure and it is quite challenging,” he added.

Usman Khawaja, who bats at No. 3, requires another five runs to score his sixth Test century.

It would be the first time this summer if Khawaja happens to score a century on Thursday at No. 3.

“It would not bother him the slightest, Ussie is the most calm, relaxed bloke you would ever meet,” Warner said (on Khawaja).