The ‘original’ David Warner predicted Aussie’s Test greatness
David Warner thought Virender Sehwag was “out of his mind’’ when the India legend predicted he would be a better Test player than Twenty20 player. The left-hander left no doubt in Adelaide.
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David Warner thought Indian opener Virender Sehwag was “out of his mind’’.
When most other judges had inked in Warner as a white ball warrior early in his career, Sehwag saw a different player.
“When I got the opportunity to play for Delhi in the IPL and I met Virender (Sehwag) there, he sat me down,’’ Warner said.
“I had the luxury of coming through and being that person thrown out there - a little bit like testing a guinea pig.
“He said I will be a better Test player than Twenty20 player. And I said to him ‘you’re out of your mind’.”
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It ended up that Warner became exceptional at both forms of the game but his 335 not out against Pakistan cemented his legacy as a Test player.
Warner’s career average hasn’t dipped below 40 for more than six years and its current mark of 48.58 has him again eyeing the prospect of finishing his career with a 50 average.
Sehwag could see it all coming.
“(Sehwag) always said to me: ‘What, they have some slips and a gully. Cover is open, mid-wicket is just there and mid-off and mid-on are up’,” Warner said. ‘You just play your way and you will get off to a flyer and sit there all day and pick them off’.
“It’s always just sat in the back of my mind. It sounded very easy when we were discussing that.”
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Yet for all the talk of cavalier play, Warner’s big improvement this summer from the tortured figure who could not hit the ball off the square in England was the calibre of his defence.
Where his radar was scrambled in England, this summer he has been clear-headed and decisive and his calling has been so clear that often it echoes around the stadium.
“Cricket smarts evolve and I’ve had to learn on the run playing Test cricket.
“The only way I knew was to sometimes throw the kitchen sink at it. If I got out early then I’d kick the can a little bit.
“But over time, the last two Tests, it’s the best I think I’ve ever batted - the most disciplined I’ve ever batted and the most patient I’ve ever batted.”
Warner admitted he could retire from red or white ball cricket to prolong his international career but is not sure which one will go first.
“I haven’t really thought about it yet but I think when you play Test cricket, it’s obviously less taxing on your legs unless you’re out there all day like that,” Warner said.
“I haven’t really put any thought into what I’ll do first, whether it’s give away T20 internationals to free up some time for the Test matches.
“I think that’ll probably come around the corner after next year’s World Cup. I might have to think about it. There’s a World Cup six months after that as well.
“Something’s got to give. It’s also an opportunity for a youngster to come through. We’ve got great depth in Australian cricket.”
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