QLD v NSW, day two: David Warner in the runs again to see Blues on top at the Gabba
David Warner’s Ashes disaster had critics calling for his Test place to be reviewed. An immediate return of runs in his opening knock of the Sheffield Shield season will go some way to silencing those voices.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
David Warner felt key parts of his game spring back to life as he weathered an interrogation stolen from the Stuart Broad playbook at the Gabba on Friday.
Warner, who scored just 95 runs at 9.5 during the Ashes, looked a far more assured figure as he showed equal measures of fight and flair in a commanding 125 for NSW (9-288) against Queensland (153) on day two of the Sheffield Shield match at the Gabba.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial
Partially because of his year long ball tampering ban, he had not scored a first class century for almost two years and for a moment it appeared he had forgotten how to celebrate. Initially he slowly raised his bat and helmet before regrouping and unleashing his trademark century leap.
“I felt good - it is great to be home and refreshed,’’ said Warner, whose century is an important for Australia as it is for him given how badly they are struggling for openers.
There was no sighting of his Ashes nemesis Broad at the Gabba but Warner must have felt he was back in England when lanky right-armer Cameron Gannon ploughed Broad-like lines and lengths from around the wicket with similar menace.
Three times he extracted Warner’s edge. Twice more he beat the bat. Several more times he square him up defensively.
But Gannon, despite harvesting the excellent figures of 5-70, could not land the killer blow.
“They bowled around the wicket to me but its different in Australia. In England they can bowl around the wicket and the ball can still hit the stumps from the back of a length ... you can leave the ball on length here.
“I know when I am back-foot punching and my little pull shot I am on my game.’’
Every moment Warner lasted was a boost for his confidence which sagged to boot lace levels in the Ashes and he is now certain to open the innings for Australia against Pakistan in next month’s first Test.
Warner’s body language, so subdued in England, regained much of its traditional pep in an innings which told the selectors what they already knew - that Warner is a far superior batsman on Australian decks than those abroad.
Even the way he let balls go, with arms shooting skywards to take the bat out of harm’s way or theatrically going down on one knee, radiated self-belief which evaporated in the Ashes.
💯 #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/NuxEMuU982
— NSW Blues (@CricketNSWBlues) October 11, 2019
His best strokes were cannon shots through the covers when the bowlers dropped short. When he went, he went hard, unlike England when he seemed to be caught between surviving and playing his natural game.
Warner looks back at England with the feeling no adjusted game plan might have been good enough to cope with the rampaging Broad.
“It was pleasing to hear Broady speak about how he was trying to get me out. You can’t play for that one that nips back because he is trying to bowl scrambled seam and hopefully one that does come back.
“All of my preparation for England was for the ball going away from the bat. To his credit he bowled well. He pitched the ball up 18% per cent more than he has done in his career.
“On those wickets when the ball goes in and away it is quite challenging. If it is in your first 10 balls and you get a good one what can you do? You can’t do anything. I spoke to Broady about the ball he bowled me at Lord’s and he said it was one of the best balls he has bowled up the slop nipping back in. Credit to him. I look back at that and just forget about it.’’
Originally published as QLD v NSW, day two: David Warner in the runs again to see Blues on top at the Gabba