David Warner could be recognised by Randwick Council by name changing Heffron Park cricket nets

Recently retired Australian test cricket legend David Warner said it was “truly humbling” to be considered by a Sydney council to have cricket nets named after him. See the plans.

David Warner during the T20 match against New Zealand on Wednesday. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Always known as a prodigious junior cricketer in his early years, David Warner kept hitting the ball into the air which prompted his coach to ask him to switch to his opposite hand.

It wasn’t until a few years later when his mother Lorraine encouraged him at 16 to switch back to left-handed which is when he started breaking run-scoring records for Sydney Coastal Cricket Club.

Fast-forward from his years growing up in Matraville to breaking international records and scoring a triple hundred in Adelaide, it was Warner’s trickery, using both batting stances and hitting unspeakable shots, which saw the opening batsman become the legend he is now.

It’s exactly why former Randwick mayor Danny Said is looking to recognise the end of Warner’s international test career by naming the Heffron Park nets the “The David Warner Cricket Nets”.

While on tour with Australia in New Zealand for a short T20 series, Warner told the Southern Courier it was an “incredible honour”.

“It’s truly humbling and means a great deal to me,” he said.

“I am touched by this gesture and grateful for the potential recognition.”

David Warner during his last test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Photo: Saeed KHAN / AFP

David Warner playing for Randwick-Petersham batsman at Coogee Oval. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Mr Said is confident his fellow councillors will support him at next Tuesday’s meeting, highlighting Warner’s “accomplished” career and his connection to the area, attending Matraville Public School and Randwick Boys’ High School in his junior years.

He also pointed to Sydney Coastal Cricket Club, the team Warner broke run-scoring records for, which now trains at the nets.

It was during Warner’s final test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground which sparked Mr Said’s motion, saying he thought “what a marvellous well deserved amount of fan adulation for a boy from Matraville”.

Labor councillor Danny Said is looking to recognise the illustrious Australian cricket career by naming Heffron Park cricket nets after David Warner. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Noel D'Souza. (AAP Image/CRAIG WILSON)

“The Southward of the Randwick LGA, punches well above its weight, producing champions of the future in all sports,” he said.

“Acknowledging sports persons such as Warner should continue the momentum.”

Warner echoed Mr Said’s comments saying he hopes “the nets will continue to be a place where aspiring cricketers can hone their skills and passion for the game”.

“I have so many memories of training in the [Heffron Park] nets,” he said.

Along with Warner, Matraville was once home to NRL players James Tamou and Sandor Earl, the Ella brothers and test cricketer Mike Whitney.

Mr Said told The Daily Telegraph “it would be terrific” if Warner unveiled the naming plaque with his family and Sydney Coastal Cricket Club juniors.

Despite Warner’s illustrious career which took him around the world, battling England for the Ashes or winning World Cups, he has continued representing his home town, playing club cricket for Randwick-Petersham and scoring a whopping 155 not out back in 2018.

Independent councillor Noel D’Souza, who supports Tuesday’s motion, recounted a time which he said “changed” Warner’s batting and life.

“Many years ago [he] won one of my scholarships,” Mr D’Souza said.

“With that $250 he bought a Stuart Surridge bat, which was one of the best at the time … we all know when good equipment and talent intersect, it will lead to good outcomes.”