Ashes 2019: David Warner takes bat to boos with his best innings

The word “cheat” ringing out across Headingley, David Warner played his best Ashes innings.

Australia batsman David Warner has a word with England bowler Chris Woakes as players go off for bad light during day one of the 3rd Ashes Test match between England and Australia. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty

David Warner played a straight bat to more questions about booing fans as a mob of well-lathered locals sang “cheat, cheat, cheat” and other more pointed songs after his best innings of the Ashes.

The Australian opener said a positive mental attitude, and a reminder from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting during a Wednesday round of golf to keep backing himself, resulted in the 61 runs that saved his team from complete disaster at Headingley.

Warner credited the bowling of Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad as “unbelievable”, and said his bowlers would have to equally as good for Australia to stay in the game on day two.

But day one was as much about his return to form and Warner said he never doubted himself after a run of four single-figure scores that had some questioning his Test ability despite the left-hander topping the run-scorers list for Australia in the World Cup.

He also admitted to being more able to endure the tough times which have presented themselves this series, including Thursday in which he played false shots to nearly half the first 50 balls he faced.

But knowing his team needed him, in the absence of Steve Smith, he demanded more of himself and decided only a good ball would get him out.

“It’s been challenging but coming into it mentally I felt like I was in form. I’ve had three balls where I probably couldn’t have done anything with them,” Warner said.

“But for me I’ve always felt like I’ve been in form and worked my backside off in the nets as well. Then today was about trying to negate that good ball and not get out to it.

“I had a lot of luck, I played and missed quite a lot but I kept my bat nice and tight. That’s what I wanted to do and I was happy to get out if a good ball was going to get me out that’s how it was going to.

“Going out on the golf course with Ricky was great, always good to have my mate around and just let your hair down as they say.

“He was all about making sure I’m still backing my game plan. That was fortunate enough today that it came off, but obviously you get another good ball there but can’t do anything about it.”

Warner, who survived 94 balls compared to 50 in his previous four innings, said the bowling from Archer and Broad was so good that even a play and a miss was a “good shot”.

But he said the quality of the bowling helped him find his way back to runs.

“You are always nice and sharp when you have a lot of movement out there,” he said.

“I just held my line and I pounced on anything that was wide or short. Today, you weren’t going to get that from Broady or Jofra.

“It’s always challenging, but as a batsman you have to stay in a positive mindset.”

As the chanting outside the media centre grew louder, Warner said the booing he copped had little effect on him.

“It’s hard enough trying to hit a swinging and seaming ball than worry about what the crowd are doing,” he said.

“They just come here to have fun, enjoy a good game of cricket and try and add some extra pressure on us. Some of us thrive on it like me, some of us don’t even listen to it.”