David Warner’s stunning knock against West Indies was no ‘shock’ to Glenn Maxwell

David Warner’s insane innings against the West Indies came as no ‘shock’ to a big-hitting teammate, despite the opener’s recent struggles with the bat.

David Warner was back at his smashing best against the West Indies. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

A thrilling David Warner innings against the West Indies at the T20 World Cup may have come as a bit of a surprise based on his recent form, but for Glenn Maxwell and the rest of the Australian squad, they knew “at some stage he was going to go off”.

Warner had only gone past 20 runs once out of eight attempts in the lead up to Australia’s do-or-die win over the West Indies, but he showcased what he’s truly made of, blasting an unbeaten 89 as Australia went on to win by eight wickets.

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As the 35-year-old fizzled, questions were being asked as to whether Warner and Finch would ever rediscover the form that made them into the white-ball superstars they are today.

But Warner and Finch have both showed what they’re made of in recent matches, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, with Australia needing just two more victories to win its maiden T20 World Cup.

As a salivating clash against Pakistan awaits, Warner must pick up where he left off if Australia has any hope of going through to the final.

For Maxwell, the lack of proper match practice was a major hindrance in Warner’s preparation, but he believed the opening batsman would always play himself into form.

“I don’t think it was a shock to anyone that he (Warner) came into this; at some stage he was going to go off and we’re certainly starting to see,” Maxwell said.

“He hasn’t really changed at all. He sometimes doesn’t get runs, but also before the tournament he played two games in five months.

David Warner celebrates scoring a half-century against the West Indies. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

“So it wasn’t like it he was out of form, he just didn’t really have a whole lot of opportunity.”

Even when Warner hasn’t set the world alight in Australia’s matches, he’s still had a critical role to play in what he brings to the squad outside of games.

It’s a combination of Warner’s impact on and off the field that has Maxwell knowing the star is “going to be a big, big key for us” at the pointy end of the World Cup.

“The way he was training and the way he was working behind the scenes, you could tell he really wanted it and really wanted to have a massive impact on this tournament, which he already has for us,” Maxwell said.

“He’s a big, big part of why we’re here. His energy on and off the field has been outstanding. He’s never dropped his head for a moment.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant, and to see him get the rewards on the field, for all the hard work he’s putting in off the field, has been has been really good to see.

“He’s going to be a big key for us going forward in this tournament and hopefully winning these last two games.”

Australia’s semi-final against Pakistan takes place at 1am (AEDT) on Friday November 12.

Originally published as David Warner’s stunning knock against West Indies was no ‘shock’ to Glenn Maxwell