Mitch Marsh believes the stage is set for a David Warner masterclass after Pakistan's tail-enders restricted the veteran opener to only a nervy six-ball cameo on day one of his final Test match.
The retiring Warner received a standing ovation and guard of honour from the Pakistan players when he and Usman Khawaja finally came out to bat at the SCG just before 6pm on Wednesday.
On the first delivery he faced, the veteran opener hit tweaker Sajid Khan for four past point, before coming within inches of chopping on from the penultimate delivery of the day.
"It was mighty close," Marsh said.
"As we always say in this game, you need a little bit of luck."
In his 112th and final Test, Warner was unbeaten on six at stumps, with fellow opener Khawaja yet to get off the mark.
Marsh believed Warner's track record proved day two would be one to remember for the veteran left-hander, who will help Australia continue to chase Pakistan's first-innings total of 313.
"History would suggest that he's always been able to find stuff when he needs to," Marsh said.
"It's been an incredible build-up for him this week.
"One of our key themes for the week has been making sure we send him off with hopefully a win, but I guess most importantly for him to enjoy his last five days as a Test cricketer."
Some 33,905 fans flocked to the SCG for day one of Warner's Test swansong.
When Pakistan slumped to 4-47 after winning the toss, the crowd would have assumed he'd have ample time in the middle to flaunt his uniquely bold style of batting.
But bowlers Aamir Jamal and Mir Hamza had other ideas, joining forces for an 86-run 10th-wicket partnership in only their third and fifth Test matches, respectively.
Jamal (82) was chief agitator, crunching four sixes and nine fours before finally holing out in the deep with only 14 minutes remaining in the day.
The late wicket left Warner to survive one over in cloudy conditions before stumps.
Earlier, Warner was joined by his three daughters for the national anthem on the pitch at the SCG.
Before play began, Test teammates shared their favourite Warner memories in pre-recorded videos shown on the screens around the ground.
Warner was forced to play his final Test in a new baggy green after his two caps were stolen in transit from Melbourne to Sydney this week.
"I probably should tell him it's been in my backpack the last couple of days," Marsh joked.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Warner's father Howard joined calls to return the caps.
"Dave Warner has represented Australia on more than 100 occasions. The baggy green caps belong to him. He has (earned) them and they should be returned," Albanese said.
The older Warner had some choice words for the cap thief when he was speaking to radio station SEN.
“Whatever scumbag has taken it is going to have to lay it off very shortly,” Howard Warner said.
“They’ll find it dumped somewhere. I know he’s emotional."
