David Warner has copped a lot of flak lately for his remarks during the South African series. The reality is he won’t care very much.
On Saturday with 135 off 152 balls, after raising a hundred off 104 deliveries, Warner showed that he is very much in the discussion when it comes to the world’s best opening batsmen.
More significantly, Warner could eventually become Australia’s greatest opening batsman ever.
Warner exploded onto the international stage in 2009 when he blasted 89 off 43 balls against South Africa in a Twenty20 international at the MCG.
Two years later he graduated to the Test team and showed he warranted his place in the side with a brilliant 123 not out in a narrow loss to New Zealand on a green-top in Hobart. The next=-highest score in the game was 56.
Then came the tour de force against India in Perth: 180 off 159 balls with 20 fours and five sixes!
Many said a superstar had arrived, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. His next 33 innings only resulted in one century and an average of 32.39.
There were flashes of brilliance, like 119 off 112 balls against South Africa, or four half-centuries in a row against Sri Lanka, but by and large it was thrash and miss, even in English pubs against Joe Root.
A new partner, a new diet, a new coach and an improved attitude has seen Warner blossom since the Ashes in England.
In his last 14 innings he has scored 872 runs at 67.07. He has made four centuries and four half-centuries.
None of these runs have been frivolous smashes. He made the most runs in the Ashes series, his scores of 49, 124, 29, 83, 60 and 112 in the first three Tests playing a big role in Australia regaining the urn.
Against South Africa Warner is doing everything he can to prove the Proteas are not the world’s best side. Scores of 12, 115, 70, 66 and 135 are outstanding returns.
What’s more impressive is Warner’s Test strike rate of 72 hasn’t dropped in this sudden surge of scoring.
He is able to restrain himself more, but the runs can still flow. Additionally Australia has not lost a Test in which Warner made a century.
Bradman in his classic 1958 treatise The Art of Cricket said the essence of the game was to score as many runs as quickly as possible.
There are few cricketers who can change the course of the match more quickly than David Warner. No opener in Australian history has scored as swiftly as the pugnacious left-hander.
In terms of averages, Australia’s best opening batsman was Sid Barnes who averaged 63.05 in only 13 Tests. Bob Simpson amassed 3364 runs at 56.14.
The vastly underrated Simon Katich scored 2928 runs at 50.48 while Justin Langer transformed himself from a middle order player to a gritty and aggressive opener, scoring 5009 runs at an average of 48.16.
Except for Barnes, those openers all spent time in the middle order during their careers. Below is a list of some of the better openers Australia has had who performed exclusively as openers.
Warner, with his climbing average and superior strike rate, is already starting to enter the frame as one of Australia’s best.
| Name | Runs After 30 Tests | Average After 30 Tests |
| Arthur Morris | 2468 | 51.41 |
| Matthew Hayden | 2354 | 50.85 |
| Mark Taylor | 2694 | 50.83 |
| Michael Slater | 2521 | 49.43 |
| Bill Lawry | 2284 | 44.78 |
| David Warner | 2322 | 44.65 |
| Name | Career Runs | Average |
| Arthur Morris | 3553 | 46.48 |
| Matthew Hayden | 8625 | 50.73 |
| Mark Taylor | 7525 | 43.49 |
| Michael Slater | 5312 | 42.83 |
| Bill Lawry | 5234 | 47.15 |
| David Warner | 2322 | 44.65 |
Alex
Guest
I just wanted to point out: "Additionally Australia has not lost a Test in which Warner made a century." ... "Two years later he graduated to the Test team and showed he warranted his place in the side with a brilliant 123 not out in a narrow loss to New Zealand on a green-top in Hobart."
Simoc
Guest
Absolute nonsense ozinsa. Warner has outstanding technique and that should carry him through hard times whereas Smith will need to become more orhodox as he gets older; but I have no doubt he will, as Steve Waugh did. His improvement has been outstanding and he just needs to keep it going.
ChrisB
Guest
I'm voting this as comment of the year. You're dead right. It always disappoints me that people are so quick to stick the knife into young or new players after a couple of tests. Many seem to have forgotten how the likes of S Waugh, Boon, Jones, Merv etc struggled in their early tests, and assume everyone should be a fully developed player like Hussey or Stuart Clark and ready to roll. Well guess what, in most cases that doesn't happen. That was an unusual period of incredible strength and depth, and certainly not the norm. This strange belief that people aren't entitled to the odd failure is bizarre. I mean people were starting to call for Clarkes head after a few poor tests after 4-5 years of batting genius. Yeah how dare he fail and actually be a human being Idiots. (Ps. Spelt strength without the n and spell check changed it to stethoscope.... That's odd)
johnb747b
Guest
At his best, Warner mixes discipline, pugnacity & an instinct to score runs quickly. Having been a sceptic initially, I am now prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's keep the jury out for the next couple of years. As a long ago has-been leftie opener, I can but wish him well. He may well surpass Arthur Morris but he's got a way to go. I hope he makes it.
ozinsa
Guest
Both Warner and Smith will face the probability that their technique will require more changes as they get older and the quality of their eye and the speed of their hands depreciates. Both have been capable of change already so no reason to think they can't do it again - it's just easier to continue to make runs into your mid-30's with a solid technique not so dependent on talent.
Adam Smith
Guest
I love the fact that Warner doesn't give a hoot about what he says or what anyone thinks of him. He has an amazing strike rate and he's not scared of anyone. He is such a weapon and I think he will be remembered as one of the strongest openers Australia has had. He just needs someone decent paired with him.
sheek
Roar Guru
Adam, Warner's scoring rate is certainly a big factor in his favour. But like bowling strike rates being exceptional in the late 1800s, these things must be taken in consideration with other relevant factors. Most modern batsmen score runs more quickly courtesy of limited overs cricket experience. And the advanced technology of modern bats with 90% face sweet spot. But it doesn't make them intrinsically better players. It's like the argument for rugby players that simply by virtue of the fact they are bigger, stronger, faster, then they must be better players. But many modern day rugby players lack the intuitive skills of their predecessors. A millionaire in 1900 wouldn't even be noticed in 2000. But what's important is that a millionaire in 1900, was a big deal. Perhaps the equivalent of a 10-millionaire in 2000. That's the comparison.
sheek
Roar Guru
Adam, I've been around sport for nearly 50 years, & one thing I've learnt is NOT to label a player 'great' when he is only half-way, or even just a third through his career. One of Australian cricket's favourite sons - Douggie Walters - was averaging 74 after 16 tests & 59 after 25 tests. He finished at 48 after 74 tests. I seriously doubt Warner will reach & stay at 50 in his career. He's enjoying a marvelous 'purple patch' at the moment. But he would have to keep producing at this output with no hiccups whatsoever. Most greats will tail off, even just slightly, in the latter part of their career. It happened to Kallis, it happened to Ponting, it happened to Tendulkar, it happened to Lara. It even happened to Border, S.Waugh, Hayden & Gilchrist. Even your list above is instructive. Taylor & Slater suffered the biggest fall-offs, while Morris dropped five percentage points. Lawry, & also Simpson, both rose through the 40s & flirted briefly with 50, before dropping back respectively to 47 & 46. Intuitively, I will say Warner is not a Morris or a Hayden. Or even a Simpson or a Lawry. He is probably closer in ability to a Langer or a Katich. So I figure if his test career 'ends' at around 46-48 he will have done exceptionally well.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Well...Warner has certainly come a long way. If he can keep it up there is no doubt he definitely can become one of Australia's greatest.One of the players I have always backed and am happy he is stepping up. A lot of critics said he needed to work on when to play his shots and improve defence and he has certainly done that.
Guy
Guest
Agree this 'uncovered pitch' arguement is a red herring. It is worth noting that some of the most prolific scorers in cricket history, Hobbs, Hutton, Woodfull, Bradman etc all played on uncovered pitches. They were prepared like roads. The few times where persistent heavy rain created sticky wickets is now made out to be the rule rather than the exception.
Brett McKay
Expert
As soon as I saw your headline, I thought of my article, but I didn't realise it was now more than two years ago!
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett, enjoyed that. The rate of scoring and abillty to change a match is so rare. If he remains consistent there is no doubt your theory will prove well thought out.
Brett McKay
Expert
Adam, you might be interested in this piece I wrote on Warner, in the days after he smashed that 180 against India at the WACA: http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/19/how-good-a-test-batsman-might-warner-become/
Brian
Guest
He could but this is the first series he has performed against a good attack so best ever is a very early call. SA in 2012 and the 2013 tours to India and England he was poor. Does he have the work ethic to conquer the spinners in India or the swinging ball in England. Will he have the maturity to chnage his game when the reflexes diminish and the hook shot needs to be tempered. I suspect not.
jameswm
Guest
The author did say "More significantly however, Warner could become Australia’s greatest opening batsman ever". So it's not that far off where you are.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Ken, My argument was a simple one based solely on averages and scoring rates. Lawry and Morris were great players no doubt, but they and the rest of the batsman mentioned in this article, accept Hayden, can change a match as quickly as Warner. I think Warner could end up as good as Sehwag who averaged 49.43 at a strikerate of 82. What's exicting is Warner has a whole lot more to give. He may end up a great or just a good player.
Choff
Guest
David Warner has technically also played in the middle order.
Choff
Guest
Your right besides this hundred just past, his average is remarkably higher in the second innings
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
Warner's technique is excellent. I thank Chappelli's comment could apply to Steve Smith. Ugly technique but highly effective. Fast feet, great hands and can pick up the length very very early - hence his ability to dispatch fast bowlers back over their heads with monotonous regularity. Actually Smith's technqiue is evolving. There's less horizontal bat slogs. Watch the vid of his 50 vs the Poms at the SCG about 4 years ago. Now that's some ugly batting. Stats tables show Tubby Taylor hung around way too long. He was the man who was blocking Hayden' return to test cricket. But then as a captain/selector why would you want a better left hand opener than you in the side? If Warner keeps his head screwed on, I'll put hm down for 8000 runs at 52. Nice that he is Boof's "go to" guy to lob hand grenades at press conferences - makes him more determined to succeed after the inevitable hullaballo in the press.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I can't stand Dave Warner and always said that I didn't believe he should be in the Test Team..... What's he's achieved in the last 12 months is currently proving me wrong, and I hope he continues to prove me wrong..... However......It is way to premature to be saying Warner could be Australia's greatest ever opener! There is a couple of absolute fantastic legends of Australian Cricket in front of him and a long way in front. Lets see him find 2-3 years of consistency rather than an 12 month bloke before we starting annointing him as Australia's Greatest Opener! I can admit Warner is Australia best opener at the moment and he's here to stay. I was wrong.... But Australia's Greatest EVER opener....Get of the Grass