David Warner looks in the mood for summer of fun after dominating T20 series against Sri Lanka
David Warner says staying mentally fresh during a hectic cricket schedule is the key to maintaining his blistering T20 form as he praises the courage of teammate Glenn Maxwell.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
David Warner forgot just how taxing the cluttered cricket schedule was during his 12-month absence, and has prioritised staying mentally fresh to ensure he doesn’t burn out.
Warner, 33, remarked during the World Cup how he hadn’t missed “the little things” such as being punctual for buses, aeroplanes and packing his bags, and he has carried a healthier mindset home.
“For me it’s about keeping it simple and making sure I’m staying fresh and keeping mentally fresh, that’s the most important thing,” Warner said after crushing Sri Lanka for the third time in six days.
Live stream the Australia v Pakistan T20 & Test Series with KAYO SPORTS on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14-day free trial >
“I had a good break, a year off, and then coming back you sort of forget how intense and how much cricket we actually play, so it’s about monitoring yourself and making sure you’re speaking up with the coaches and the staff about how you’re feeling.”
Warner said Glenn Maxwell was in good spirits and praised Maxwell’s “courage” to stand up in front of his teammates and tell them he was taking a break to work on his mental health.
Warner, who texted Maxwell on Friday, noted how males traditionally found it difficult to discuss their emotions.
“He’s done the right thing,” Warner said.
“We (men) do like to bottle it up, I’m in that same boat, but you’ve got people to talk to.”
Maxwell spent about 215 consecutive nights on the road between February and September.
Warner was on the field for every ball of the series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 217 runs without getting dismissed.
The destructive opener has averaged 88.5 runs at a strike-rate of 144.5 across his past 18 T20s, which takes in his blistering IPL this year.
Warner still trains with Lewis Capaldi blasting on his Bluetooth AirPods, although struggles during T20 sessions because they fall out when he runs between the wickets.
Warner has not changed his routine since his disastrous Ashes campaign and said he wants to “maintain the rage” against Pakistan at the SCG on Sunday.
“I’m a confident person, I don’t go out there thinking I’m going to get out,” he said.
Originally published as David Warner looks in the mood for summer of fun after dominating T20 series against Sri Lanka