David Warner’s leadership surprises Englishman Sam Billings after years of Ashes sledges

After beating his captaincy ban, David Warner has dived into leadership in the Big Bash and even surprised some former opponents turned teammates.

The Sydney Thunder won only a single game and finished at the bottom of the ladder last Big Bash season.

But English international Sam Billings said the elevation of David Warner to captain, after a successful appeal against a lifetime leadership ban from Cricket Australia allowed the appointment to happen, had not only been instrumental in the Thunder’s rise up the ladder but even changed his perceptions of the fiery former Australian opener.

Warner loaded up on character references when he pleaded his case for the leadership ban, imposed for his role in the 2019 Sandpaper scandal in South Africa, to be overturned in the wake of his international retirement.

David Warner grabs Sam Billings after a big BBL win in Perth. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Contracts in T20 leagues around the world have not been as plentiful for the now 38-year-old who blasted more than 10,000 international runs across all formats for his country, meaning his BBL presence has increased.

Warner’s drive to make his local presence a success has been on display for all to see, and his 346 runs for the tournament are second only to breakout 21-year-old star Cooper Connolly.

But Warner will be playing finals, starting with Wednesday’s showdown against the Melbourne Stars, and could finish as the leading run-scorer on the back of his “phenomenal” leadership that Billings, part of the Thunder’s leadership group, said had caught him by surprise given the “Bull’s” long-time reputation as an antagonist for opposition teams.

“Everyone sees the on-field energy that he (Warner) brings, but off field, he’s been absolutely phenomenal,” Billings said.

“People have this perception around him, but he’s incredible in terms of the conversations he has with individuals and the consistent drive (he has).

Warner has been an inspiration to teammates. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“You see why he’s one of the best players in the world, still at the age of 38, I’m learning off him every day.

“It’s impossible not to learn off him from a cricketing point of view. He’s been brilliant.”

The Thunder has won five of their eight completed matches this season, having endured two washouts, after winning only one match for the entire campaign last season.

The surge to the finals is more remarkable after losing star all-rounder Daniel Sams and opening batter Cameron Bancroft to tournament-ending injuries.

Billings, 33, was signed to a three-year deal by the Thunder prior to the season, lured away from the Brisbane Heat for his leadership.

Working with Warner, the duo have proved pivotal in what could be a title-winning season.

“We’ve got a group of senior players who can really drive this forward, and ultimately we want to win trophies,” Billings said.

“Hopefully, we can build a bit of a group that is going to go into finals and ultimately win competitions for years going forward.”

Originally published as David Warner’s leadership surprises Englishman Sam Billings after years of Ashes sledges