How often one has seen a player, after punching an opposition player, has become one of the leading batsman in the world just 7 months after the incident? Well, not many, and David Warner is definitely in the list. A mercurial southpaw has undergone tremendous transformation from an unfulfilled talent to one of the leading batsman/openers in cricket today.
So how did this happen?
After his infamous bar-brawl with Joe Root during the Champions Trophy 2013 at England, Warner has gone step-by-step to the batsman he his now today. After a mediocre Ashes, wherein the visiting Australians lost 3-0, the team has transformed from a mediocre ageing team to a matchwinners. Yes, Mitchell Johnson has been the one who is responsible for this turn-around, but David Warner’s contribution in this sudden and unexpected Australian resurgence cannot be ignored. Warner’s centuries against the visiting England in the return Ashes in the first and third test, ensured that the urn returns back to Australia.
But his real form was shown in the recently finished series against England. Warner scored 3 centuries in the 3 match series, including two in the deciding final match at Cape Town, which personally he describes as his best yet. Also, his dominance over the South African Pace spearhead, Dale Steyn, was the highlight of Warner’s amazing series in the rainbow country. And not to forget, his aggregate of 542 runs in 3 tests is only the second best aggregate by an Australian in a 3-match series, behind Mathew Hayden’s 549 against India in 2001.
But the impact caused by Warner is what makes him special. With Virender Sehwag as his idol, it is not surprising that his knocks are coming on a par-80 strike rate. Also, his quick starts, even if it is 30-odd runs, have helped the team to gather in runs quickly and put pressure on the opposition team. His technique has improved a lot, and has learnt the art of leaving the ball. He respects the good deliveries, but anhilliates the loose ones without mercy.
Warner’s contribution to the recent Aussie resurgence cannot be ignored. But may the oppositions be warned, as he will be playing his prefered format, T20, in the coming months or so. His batting will be a key for Australia and Sun Risers Hyderabad in the upcoming World T20 and IPLT20 respectively.
by
Kaushik Narayanan
