What a week for David Warner. It really is amazing what a few runs will do for your public perception.
It speaks volumes of the desperation currently lingering in Australian cricket how quickly he has been forgiven for his immaturity in the past six months.
However, Warner is one of only a handful of current Australian players with the ability to single-handedly win his country a Test match – the type of talent that simply cannot be wasted if the Ashes are to be regained.
The fact is: in 2013, Warner’s talent has been outmatched by his ego.
Warner’s employers, both Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW, have so far done a fantastic job in bringing their pint-sized opener back down to earth.
The severity of his sanctions have been carefully managed as to discourage him from further misdemeanour without distancing him from the playing group or the cricket field.
The much-publicised punching incident with Joe Root at a Birmingham bar during the Champions Trophy in June had many calling for Warner to be sent home.
Cricket Australia were quick to refute that this would be detrimental to his development as he would not have his regular coaching structure around him, nor would he be exposed to top level cricket.
Not to mention further fractures it could cause in the dressing room if and when he rejoined the playing group.
He was banned for the rest of the Champions Trophy and the first two Ashes Tests, giving him a chance to break back into the side for the final three Tests.
Warner was then sent to South Africa to join the Australia A tour with a view to rebuilding form. He promptly scored 193 and was called into the team for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
Warner’s 138 runs at an average of 23 during those final three Tests did not swing the momentum of the Ashes as Cricket Australia had hoped, but they must be commended for putting him in the position to do so.
Holding Warner out of the 15-man ODI squad to remain in England was a clear message that the 26-year-old would not walk back into the Australian setup based on reputation.
At the naming of the squad, coach Darren Lehmann stated: “We just want more runs on the board. At the end of the day, he hasn’t made enough runs in this format of the game.”
Fast forward to early October, and Warner is hopelessly out of form and again to be reprimanded for his fractious behaviour.
This time he has brushed his new Sydney grade side, Randwick-Petersham, to go to the races and leave his teammates to field with ten players.
He lands before the Cricket NSW board with many calling for him to be sacked. The board take the same approach as Cricket Australia did with the Root incident, believing that Warner must play as much high-level cricket possible if he is to improve.
A one match suspended sentence was a clear ‘last chance’ warning from Cricket NSW, however allowed their opener to play the entire Ryobi Cup in a bid to do what the Australian coach asked of him: put runs on the board.
And that he has certainly done. Ryobi Cup scores of 139, 138 and 197 in the past week have showcased the match-winning ability he possesses, which is so crucial to Australia’s Ashes success.
Glimpses of his immaturity still shine through the cracks, such as attempting to reverse sweep a Peter Siddle yorker to be dismissed LBW against Victoria.
However, Warner is well aware he is on his last chance and has acknowledged his need to grow up.
An opening spot alongside Chris Rogers in the Ashes in now Warner’s to lose, and with this sort of momentum his impact could be series-defining.
That he has been well managed by his employers to allow such an opportunity should not go unnoticed.
ChrisUK
Guest
That's true, but most people who don't have successful careers also average mid thirties and at times only mid twenties too - before being dropped. This group is a lot bigger than the superstars one.
Bearfax
Guest
You know ChrisUK. Most Superstars start off averaging mid thirties and at times only mid twenties against the best at the time. And then suddenly.....Check the cricket history books.
Aakash bhat
Guest
Glenn maxwell
ChrisUK
Guest
It's quite amusing though. Warner does have some talent and it's always possible he fires this Ashes, but the way some react you'd think he was a superstar, not someone averaging mid thirties and only mid twenties against the side Australia are playing shortly.
ChrisUK
Guest
Chris Gayle.
Hookin' YT
Guest
Wonderful knock. Class act.
Bearfax
Guest
Khawaja has just hit 100 in the final, which means he's hit 1 century and 4 X 50s in 6 innings. At this point he is averaging 80, which is the best in the tournament if he remains not out or scores a big century. And who said he isnt playing as well as Bailey, White, Klinger, Marsh etc.
duncan
Guest
All this talk about warner being our batting saviour just baffles me as Mark Taylor pointed out two or three years ago his defensive technique is so bad he almost falls over every time when playing a foward defensive shot and often ends up playing inside out very similar story to Andrew Symonds whose average for Queensland was not great but still made the test team largely due to his fielding. It says more to me how bad the coaching must be at junior levels that someone like warner and many more càn go up through the ranks with such obvious deficencies in his technique
Hookin' YT
Guest
...we need hitters in the back 3 of the Wallabies. The test team needs accumulators at the top. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Aakash bhat
Guest
NOBODY,NOBODY,NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THAN . . . . . . . DAVID WARNER GREAT HITTER
Varun
Guest
Well said mark and selectors know this weakness on bailey
Mark Cleary
Roar Rookie
Totally agree with comment on Hughes, Finch, Watson, Bailey shown up by Shami who seamed the ball around on a good length. Those already handing Bailey the Test number 6 spot are quick to forget his poor Shield form last year. Only so much can be blamed on the Hobart green top - Bailey is the sort of batsman that looks very good when attacking but is below par when defending extended spells of good fast bowling. Of course, the selectors will look to pick a RHB to negate the impact of Swann and Bailey plays off spin well, leaving him as the frontrunner at this stage.
Varun
Guest
Good comments hookin
Varun
Guest
I am confused, what did haydis do
Disco
Roar Guru
Here we go again. Sigh.
Disco
Roar Guru
What like Haydos?
Hookin' YT
Guest
I think he refers to the batsman not the dopey git without pads on and bat in hand. Based on this: “late movement into the pads or hitting the top of off interspersed with 6 inches shorter, pitching on middle and off and moving away to the cordon. The Avenue of Apprehension with just a few inches of movement (half a bat width)” I think he'll be a no show (maybe one whirling dervish dig if the English bowlers lose the plot and bowl at his legs or short and wide (Mitch Johnson specialty), which I doubt).
James
Guest
you and i have very different pre requisites for respecting someone
Hookin' YT
Guest
+1 Warner and Bailey need to see late movement into the pads or hitting the top of off interspersed with 6 inches shorter, pitching on middle and off and moving away to the cordon. The Avenue of Apprehension with just a few inches of movement (half a bat width). If Bailey, Maddinson, Khawaja, Klinger, Warner, Cozzie, Pope Benedict (retd), whomever, demonstrate the skill in overcoming such balls in the opening matches of the Sheffield Shield and then counterattacking when negated – pick them. I didn’t mention Hughes, no chance, technique still poop. Hughes, Finch, Watson and Bailey faced such against Mo Shami in the recent ODI and were found wanting. Unfortunately such attacking bowling with 3+ slip support in 50 over cricket is as rare as rocking horse poo. As for Johnson doing the: “late movement into the pads or hitting the top of off interspersed with 6 inches shorter, pitching on middle and off and moving away to the cordon. The Avenue of Apprehension with just a few inches of movement (half a bat width)”. He hasn’t the control and bowls with a scrambled seam and gets zero movement unless he jags a seam lander. Picking him will be fatal to our chances. Who was our leading bowler in the 5-0 clean sweep 06/07? Stuart Clark, 26 wickets @ 17.04. What did he bowl?
Varun
Guest
Personally I don’t think it matters if he is attending church , I am Hindu and my beliefs have no impact when I play club cricket, good in him though in trying to improve himself.