When Australia regains the Ashes this summer, thank Candice Falzon.
The champion 28-year-old ironwoman knows how to be at peak fitness as a matter of necessity in her game. The beneficiary? David Warner, and perhaps the whole of Australia.
For the last few months at around 5am, Candice has been training her partner, if that’s the right terminology, in how to be fitter, fresher, and able to concentrate longer. Discipline. And it’s worked a treat.
In the last three weeks, Warner has cracked 139, 138, and 197 in three Ryobi Cup games, and 104, and 51* in one Shield game.
If the leftie can keep up this cracking pace, he’s the one who will set up the Ashes success by ripping the England pace attack to shreds.
And he’s the only Australian batsman capable of doing just that.
If and when he does, every Australian batsman will benefit, starting with his opening partner Chris Rogers, and ending right down the order.
Big call? Certainly not. We haven’t seen the best of David Warner yet, but we are starting to.
He was in a dark place during the Ashes tour in England, and it took the ODI tour to India to be dropped for the penny to drop with Warner.
At last he listened to a wake-up call, and Candice Falzon has done the rest.
Her background is spectacular as the youngest ever pro at 14 to be in the ironwoman series, a NSW champion at 16.
There can’t be any argument that ironwomen and ironmen are the very fittest in any sport. The torture they put their bodies through are mind-boggling.
Warner will never be an ironman, but he could well be the fittest baggy greener this summer, or at least pushing Peter Siddle for the honour.
Warner has never been in that space, and you never know, his new healthy attitude may rub off on some of his team-mates.
But the most important end result is for the Australians to win back the Ashes.
And when they do, don’t forget the major role Candice Falzon played in the success.
nincompoop
Guest
Bro..mind telling my future as well...hats off!!!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
It's pretty common across all sports. The list of sportsmen who went through all sorts of issues and were a bit hit and miss early in their careers, and when they got with the right woman, they got their act together a lot more and their careers finally took off, is quite a long one. Ricky Ponting is one great case in point. He had all sorts of issues early in his career, then he met the woman who later became his wife, and the rest is history.
Johnno
Guest
I think the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well. We all know Dave Warner is a lucky bloke now. He's hit the jackpot, going out with a beautiful and talented woman like Candice Falzon. You blokes all know if she asked you out, what would you say- No! No we know that wouldn't be, your answer would be yes. So while your tucking in to your TV dinners, Dave Warner is hosting Candice Falzon every night for a romantic dinner at his chateau, and he knows you blokes are jealous, and he laughing all the way to every joke, or laugh or smile, she gives him, as they eat a nice dinner, and he knows your hating your tv dinner's lol, so he got lucky, boo hoo. Good luck to Dave Warner. Can't a bloke be happy these days.
Homer J
Guest
I do like how the writers are keen to get involved in the discussions on this site! People disrespect Warners efforts at North Sydney Oval but forget that a string of other top line batsmen were not able to emulate his efforts. The fact is he was in the right space to collect those runs and take advantge of the surrounds where others couldn't, and then followed that up with a patient ton in the shield, by adapting to his surrounds. If Miss Falzon and her Ironwoman ideology is the reason behind his mental and fitness state then we should organise for the wallbies to go to the Coolangatta Gold asap!!
Harry of Floreat
Guest
What a load of bollocks
Gobarg
Guest
I don't rate one day runs when you are thinking of picking a test team so I am glad that he actually scoredd good runs in the shield. As did a number of our other hopefuls. If we can get a few of our guys to regularly contribute to a meaningful scorecard we ar going to have a chance of beating the poms this summer. Harris, Siddle and Watson giving them nothing to hit and Johnson giving them some chin music! One of the best thiings to come out of this whole batting debate is that we seem to be concentrating once again on our first class game and that can only be a good thing.
polly
Guest
Or how about awesome athlete instead.....
Manoj
Guest
A disciplined warner is good for us, he is our x factor
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Lordy would be happy to tip my hat to the lovely Candice if we get the Ashes back ! We must win at the Gabba to have any chance.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Yes, that's true, but not relevant to your assertion that Warner is the only Australian batsman capable of "ripping the England pace attack to shreds". Watson (if fit) is certainly capable of doing that.
Kevin Mader
Roar Rookie
Welcome to the internet and the 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' which dominates Australia's mentality.
David Lord
Expert
Jay Jay, runs are runs wherever you get them, and four tons in three weeks has done wonders for Warner's well-being and confidence. You can bet your house Warner wouldn't be at the Gabba if those four tons and an unbeaten half-century were five single figures, so they count alright.
Brett McKay
Expert
That's not entirely true Praveen, she was also in the picture when he started the season with a string of single-figure scores. No argument about the benefit of discipline though..
Jay
Guest
Lord Lord, being fit as a fiddle is great but that doesn't necessarily mean you can fiddle your way to success against top-class bowling. True, Warna ( can we blaspheme, and call him that ?) can save even more runs in the field as a fit bunny but he's got to bat and with due respect Ryobi ain't the Ashes.
Praveen
Guest
It is true that David has been playing better since she came into the picture, I hope he continues his great form, as a professional athlete she is probably bringing more discipline into his life which is good
Happy Hooker
Guest
So Lordy, do we have to hope we bat first? I mean, there's only 10 minutes between change of innings.
David Lord
Expert
What's the matter with you blokes that you find it almost impossible to give praise where praise is warranted, You prefer to be either grubby, or just plain knock for the sake of knocking.
Milz
Guest
Think Sonny Bill Williams in the bathrooms!
David Lord
Expert
That is a very valid point Alan, but for the moment let's accept it's working a treat for David Warner.
AlanKC
Guest
I do agree that Watto is and has always been a gamble from a fit to play perspective.