Regardless of how David Warner performs in his debut Test match, he should have earned your respect. The 25-year-old New South Welshman will wear the traditional baggy green for the first time today, though his journey towards being Australia’s 424th Test cricketer has been anything but traditional.
His selection after a mere eleven first class games, and that of teenage tyro Pat Cummins after just three, suggests the traditional route that players take to the Test arena is a thing of the past.
While there were always exceptions to the rule, historically Australian batsmen tended to require a considerable number of first class seasons under their belt, with impressive statistics to match, before they would be even considered for Test cricket.
Just ask Mark Waugh, Darren Lehmann and Mike Hussey.
However, Warner and Cummins represent not just the new era of Australian cricket, but also the increasing trend of using Twenty20 to fast track your career. Both players have earned their spot in the Test team predominantly via their eye-catching performances in the shortest form of the game.
In fact, it’s highly doubtful either would have a baggy green today without Twenty20 cricket.
Warner became the first Australian cricketer in 132 years to be selected in a national team without playing a game of first class cricket, when he was chosen to play in a Twenty20 match against South Africa at the MCG on the 11th of January, 2009.
Warner, still unheard of by the majority of Australians, blasted 89 runs off 43 balls. At the time, it was the second fastest half century in Twenty20 international cricket history. To say he burst onto the scene was an understatement.
But while that innings put Warner on the map, and earned him a lucrative IPL contract, in some respects it did more harm than good for his overall career. It brought him fame and fortune, but he was branded a ‘basher’ and pigeon-holed as a Twenty20 specialist.
If that’s all Warner wanted to achieve in his career, then that would be all fine and good. There are plenty of cricketers that would be, and are, content playing just Twenty20.
But Warner had a burning desire to play not just first class cricket, but Test cricket. And this is where Warner began to earn immense respect.
It soon became quite apparent that Warner doesn’t play the game to be famous, or to make money. He could have forged a profitable and easy career just playing Twenty20 and one-dayers. But Warner wanted to play the pinnacle of cricket.
Real cricket. Respected cricket.
He wanted to play Tests.
And he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that goal.
Having watched Warner play a handful of innings in grade cricket for Eastern Suburbs before his call-up to State cricket, I can attest to the fact that Warner has always been a hard hitter of the ball.
But he’s equally always had a tighter technique than he’s been given credit for over the last couple of years – many pundits have trouble reconciling a big-hitting batsmen with technical prowess.
In some ways, Warner has been his own worst enemy in that regard.
After his stunning international debut, he seemed determined to live up to his slogger reputation, attempting to whack almost every ball he faced to the boundary. He forgot that good cricket shots still give you the best run returns, regardless of the format.
As such, in order to be considered a Test player, Warner has had to work extremely hard. Not just on his game, but on his reputation – which anyone will tell you, can be the most difficult thing in the world to change.
He has worked with his coaches, slightly altering the way in which he approaches his batting. He’s learnt to reign in his attacking instincts. He learnt how to let balls go. He’s learnt how to pace his innings. He’s even adopted some breathing exercises, helping him to relax at the crease.
It’s a testament to the young man’s maturity, ambition and self-awareness that he has worked so diligently to establish himself as a more complete batsmen.
The hard work culminated in a fantastic Australia A tour of Zimbabwe, which included a double century. Combined with his 148 versus South Australia in the Sheffield Shield last month, it made him next cab off the rank for the Australian Test team.
And today, against New Zealand, all the hard work will have paid off when he makes his Test debut.
All credit to him.
You can follow Ryan on Twitter @RyanOak
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Mark Waugh made his Test debut in 1991, Darren Lehmann made his Test debut in 1998, and Mike Hussey made his Test debut in 2005. That’s three generations of Australian batsmen, spanning 14 years. I think that gives a fair historical reference. I could have gone back further, but I chose batsmen from recent memory that the majority of readers could more easily identify with. Lastly, Waugh, Lehmann and Hussey all held the world record, at one point, for most first class runs without playing Test cricket. Which actually suggests those players couldn’t illustrate my point any better.
Walt
Guest
historically Australian batsmen tended to require a considerable number of first class seasons under their belt..... Yet you quote Lehmann who left Test cricket only about 6 years ago and Mike Hussey who is still in the team. Historic? I see your point but it could have been better illustrated. I dont respect David Warner though yet. Players earn my respect at Test level and thats that. If it wasnt for 20/20 he wouldnt be in the Test side.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
That's my exact top 6 too, Seano.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Doesn't that just back up my point?
Seano
Guest
Because There are Test specialist, ie players to slow and crappy in the field so dont play 20/20. Most 20/20 players could play test cricket. (except Dirk Nannes)
Seano
Guest
I want Hussey to open, he has 10,000 first class runs as an opener, i also think you need an old head an a young head in an opening combo, hence the Hussey - Warner combo is perfect. I dont want Khawaja to fail as such its just im scared Marsh wont get another shot if he goes well, where as Kawaja was always going to be punters long time replacment! To clarify my top 6 for belirive would be 1. Hussey 2. Warner 3. Marsh if fit, if not Kawaja 4. Ponting 5. Clarke 6. Wotto, Pretty good Huh?
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Seru, if the notion of Twenty20 specialists is rubbish, then how come every single country in world cricket has a different Test XI to their Twenty20 XI?
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
WobbliesFan, I'm not making ready-made excuses for him at all. Of course he needs to score runs. I simply stating that he should be respected for not resting on his laurels and actually working his tail off to change his game and his reputation, in order to earn a baggy green.
Chris
Guest
Agree that it's highly unlikely that both would fail. And remember there's Kurtis Patterson waiting in the wings...:)
jameswm
Guest
Seano if Hughes and Khawaja both fail and Watto goes to 6, who opens with Warner? Marsh? If so, who bats 3? Ponting? What's the issue with Khawaja anyway? Solid technique and calm demeanour. Why do you want him to fail?
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Seru, I have no doubt that the players who specialise in T20 now had a technique once upon a time. I'm saying those players have now lost it because T20 has become the staple of their cricketing existence, so that the moment they need to survive, they lack the game to do so. The real worry is the youth of today growing up on a staple of T20 and trying to attempt a Dilscoop in their early cricketing education as opposed to a plain and boring forward defence. If those early lessons form the foundation of their batting, then the likelihood of someone surviving on a dodgy wicket for 5 hours seems less likely by the year...
Red Kev
Guest
You realise that Ponting and Hussey cannot last until the next Ashes series right? The best result for Australia is Hughes, Khawaja and Warner all making 50s with Ponting and Hussey both making double-ducks.
Seru
Guest
20/20 specialists don't have a technique, please. You can't make it to a high level of 20/20 cricket without having the ability to play and succeed at other levels. Until somebody goes from playing 3rd or 2nd grade club cricket into a professional 20/20 team without ever having represented at junior age group levels or playing 1st grade at metro level than this notion of 20/20 specialists is rubbish. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Seano
Guest
My perfect result for this game, is a win with Warner making 50 and punter and hussey making tons. Hughes and usman to get 2 ducks each. That way watto goes to 6 hussey opens Hughes and usman get dropped and marsh comes in at 3 then we have a side to beat India. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
WoobliesFan
Guest
Let’s analyse this. "Regardless of how David Warner performs in his debut Test match, he should have earned your respect. " Let's not make excuses for him already. He's expected to perform....if he gets two single innings, now that sucks....two innings in the 20s, meh....avg. of say 50, good stuff. "His selection after a mere eleven first class games, and that of teenage tyro Pat Cummins after just three, suggests the traditional route that players take to the Test arena is a thing of the past." Only reason these young whipper snappers are getting early call-ups is because the existing team is full of chumps like Johnson, Siddle, Ponting, Haddin.....so it makes sense to go after talent like Cummings and Warner. Yes, it's interesting to note the representative progression of cricket players, but the real point here is this ---> we simply need better players in the team.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Seru, when ppl (like me) refer to Warner as a T20 specialist, we're not talking about his upbringing in cricket. For the record, I played against Warner in my school days, and even then he showed what an amazing eye he has by smacking my mate for 34 off an over of leg spin. When I call Warner a T20 specialist, I refer to the way he has gone about making his name in the international circuit. For someone who represented Australia before playing FC cricket for NSW, it's hard to call him anything else. The thing I imply when I say T20 specialist is that it is someone who makes their cricketing name by this form, and implies they don't have the technique to tighten their game for another format. Warner himself has said he has had to do remedial work on his batting in the last two years to achieve his goal of a regular place in the NSW Sheffield Shield team. He has creditted Greg Chappell for helping him do that. I highly doubt how many other players have the ability to do what Warner has done. A guy like Virat Kohli got his opportunity in T20, and now is playing Test cricket. While he's yet to hit his straps, I think he will at some point. But I don't think there are many other T20 specialists that can shake off that tag to become proficient in the longer game. On the other end though, I think a Test specialist like Alastair Cook has all the necessary tools to one day become a very good ODI and T20 cricketer, because he always has his technique to fall back on. T20 specialists dont have a technique...
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
The scenario you're referring to Ryan about players having to pile on runs before was because the 11 guys who were picked for Australia were performing (or were given ample time to perform). The other key factor was that players back then had many more tour matches to find their form away from the intense spotlight. Now tour matches have been sacrificed for ODIs and T20s, which are still under media scrutiny. Players today have little chance to find their form in quiet surroundings unless they are dropped, which feels like we're shooting ourselves in the foot. It's too late for this season, but I'd like to see next season follow the Argus Review's finding that mandates players to play more FC matches at home and encourages CA to schedule more tour matches while away. This will give the players in the Australian XI more opportunities to find their form, and thus, increase the incentive for players out of it to make good of when they play state and county cricket. That last part is crucial. I hope CA encourages its young talent to pursue county contracts in addition to the lucrative IPL ones so they get the same useful upbringing that served guys like Mark Waugh and Michael Hussey so well.
Seru
Guest
All this rubbish about David Warner being brought up on a 20/20 diet is laughable. When Dave made his Sydney first grade debut he had never played 20/20 before in his life. He was an Australian u/19 player due to his ability to excel in two day and one day cricket at both junior level and grade level. Why people think he is some sort of 20/20 specialist is beyond me. When chris gayle made his test debut 20/20 wasn't even invented. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Red Kev
Guest
Ponting has respect, he doesn't have a free pass, and every moment he remains in the Australian cricket team he erodes the respect that he has earnt. Did you see the Daily Telegraph today? In the past 12 months Ponting has scored 246 runs @ 17.57 including zero centuries, just one half-century, and three ducks (that is a worse batting record than Mitchell Johnson over the same time period and is completely unacceptable from a top-order test batsmen).
A1
Guest
Ponting can get everyone off his back by scoring runs. Simple.