Sydney (AFP) - David Warner and Chris Rogers got Australia off to a flying start with a century opening stand in a poignant final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Tuesday.
After captain Steve Smith won the toss, the opening pair made full use of a placid pitch and docile India bowling attack to go to lunch at 123 without loss.
Warner was unbeaten on 63 off 74 balls with Rogers not out 52 off 94.
The Sydney Test was being played against the emotional backdrop of Phillip Hughes, who was fatally struck by a bouncer in a domestic match at the same ground on November 25.
A plaque honouring Hughes has been installed outside the home dressing room at the SCG and served as a reminder for the Australian players of their former team-mate.
Upon reaching the symbolic score of 63 that Hughes had made when he was hit, Warner kissed the ground and then looked skywards before clapping in tribute to his fallen mate.
The Australian openers tucked into the runs from the opening ball with the 50-partnership coming off 48 balls.
Rogers gave a chance on 19 when he edged to second slip but Lokesh Rahul put down an easy two-handed knee-high chance off Mohammed Shami.
The pair waltzed to first-hour drinks at 72 without loss, with Rogers on 32 and Warner 34.
Warner went on with the job after drinks and cracked Umesh Yadav for three consecutive fours.
He passed fifty for the third time in the series off 45 balls with two off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 19th over. The left-hander posted twin centuries in the first Adelaide Test.
Rogers reached his fifth consecutive fifty of the series shortly before lunch.
India made four changes with Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming into the side.
The tourists left out opener Shikhar Dhawan with Rahul promoted to open the innings, Sharma replacing Cheteshwar Pujara and Saha for the newly-retired Mahendra Singh Dhoni at wicketkeeper, while Kumar came in for paceman Ishant Sharma.
The Australians made only one change with Mitchell Starc replacing injured paceman Mitchell Johnson.