Australia vs South Africa: David Warner fulfills his prophecy and makes history with a double ton in Melbourne

David Warner is a legendary opener, an excellent ball hitter, and an entertainer when in full flow. 

But after having predicted his excellent form in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test, you might as well add ''seer'' to that list.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Warner has retired hurt on exactly 200 after suffering cramps following and during his celebration <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvSA</a></p>&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1607613510191808512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Because Warner could easily predict the fact that he would be able to find some form at ''The G'' come Boxing Day, of course, it is worth noting that it was more complex than that. 

It was not just a case of him looking to predict his return to form and then going out and being able to get back into form. 

No, the root cause of the return to form was Warner's ability to do what he does best – be aggressive and dominate a bowling line-up rather than look defensive and cautious. 

"I know when I'm at my best, I'm taking the bowlers on. It goes well and flows with the team and the guy at the other end. 

"Now I've become more responsible and trying to put the team into a good position without playing rashly.

"If anything, I can be more aggressive and go back to the older me, taking them on a little more. But I think that also is dictated by what wickets you are getting." 

Warner showed signs of doing just that – but the conditions did help, as he mentioned that he often adapted to the needs at hand. 

Here though, he was on a pitch that didn't quite have the demons that the Gabba pitch did but was considerably eased out thanks to the sweltering heat of Melbourne. 

That isn't an excuse, however, as batting in such heat cannot be easy – and Warner, aside from swatting fast bowlers for boundaries, was also looking to run hard. 

He ran four runs on three separate occasions in this innings – combined with some astute power hitting his end. 

By the time his run at the crease ended, it wasn't a bowler who got him – it was the elements, as he was forced to retire hurt after suffering cramps and dehydration in the heat. 

But that did little to diminish his knock. It showed that Warner had never left, and this wasn't just a case of him being back. 

His touch and ability had not deserted him; it was there, stifled and waiting for the right opportunity to find itself in the open. 

For Australia, the hope is that he can continue to show this kind of form, given a series in India, a World Test Championship final and an Ashes series are looming. 

But even if Warner does have a slight blip in form, count him out at your peril.