A little over 18 months ago, David Warner’s international career was at the crossroads.
A twitter rant with two leading Australian cricket journalists on the tour of England was closely followed by a late night physical altercation with England batsman Joe Root during the Champions Trophy.
The first outburst resulted in Cricket Australia issuing a $5750 fine while the second saw him docked $11,500, as well as being handed a one-month suspension.
FULL AUSTRALIA-PAKISTAN SCORECARD AFTER DAY 4
Warner was overlooked for the opening two Tests of that Ashes tour before forcing his way back for the third match at Old Trafford. His three Tests produced just 138 runs at 23, leaving his immediate future on a knife’s edge.
He was retained for last summer’s opening Ashes Test at the Gabba, where he rewarded the selectors with knocks of 49 and 124. That match proved to be the start of a golden run.
In his last 10 Tests he has scored 1305 runs at 67 with six hundreds and five half-centuries.
The opponents through that period were England at home (523 runs at 58), away against South Africa (543 at 90) and Pakistan (239 at 60).
Heading into this month’s four-Test home series against India he will be one of the first picked. It is a mighty turnaround for a man who could well have disappeared into the cricketing abyss after last year’s indiscretions and suspension.
In the past 12 months he has displayed a newfound maturity – both on and off the field. Fatherhood, with partner Candice Falzon, may have contributed to his new off-field demeanour. His on-field turnaround has no doubt been due to a period of serious introspection.
Gone is the showy brashness that characterised much of his early cricket. He still ticks the scoreboard over rapidly but he also now possesses the ability to graft when things get tough, a trait that he largely lacked when he debuted in Test ranks.
It is worth remembering that Warner’s elevation to international level was hardly conventional. When he was selected for his T20 international debut against South Africa at the MCG in January 2009 he became the first Australian player in 132 years to debut in a national side without having played first-class cricket – he celebrated with a swashbuckling 89 off 43 balls.
Seven weeks later he made his first-class debut for New South Wales.
By the time he was handed his baggy green as Australia’s 424th Test cricketer in December 2011 he had played a mere 11 first-class matches. Given that paucity of long-form cricket it is not surprising that Warner took a while to find the right tempo – and the requisite technique – to succeed in the rigorous and demanding arena that is Test cricket.
He has shown in the past 12 months that he has developed a game – both mentally and technically – that can succeed at the highest level of the sport.
He has conquered the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander on their home decks and batted with aplomb against Pakistan’s spinners in the current series in the UAE.
Early on in his Test career he was noticeably hesitant against spin and appeared to want to play the vast majority of deliveries off the back-foot. In recent times he has modified his footwork considerably and now possesses the ability to counter the spinners off the back foot or by confidently dancing down the pitch.
Warner’s first 32 Tests have produced nine centuries and an average of 47.5.
That record closely mirrors Matthew Hayden’s at the same point – nine 100s and an average of 49.2 – keeping in mind that Hayden finished his 103-Test career with 30 tons and an average of 50.7.
Warner turned 28 a week ago and has six or so years of Test cricket still ahead of him. From time to time there will no doubt be the odd ‘moment of madness’ but we can expect that they will likely become few and far between as he continues to hone his game at Test level.
The current Test is only his 48th first-class match. Very few Test batsmen can boast so few first-class outings after 32 Test appearances.
With Warner’s continuing maturity the upside looks limitless. And one thing is for sure, he will continue to be compulsory viewing whenever he is at the crease.
Nick
Guest
Not a chance. He's a one trick pony who has been on a good run. That will come to an end and he'll have the inevitable form slump and that will be his undoing. He hasn't the brain nor the heart to come back from something like that.
twodogs
Guest
Many openers don't Charles, son of Lara!
twodogs
Guest
On top Glenn, very fine article. The Warner knockers are kept at bay for the time being. A side issue though - I feel some changes are afoot. Rogers must go - filled a spot admirably but has the wobbles. Lyon must go - the team songster cannot be enough with an average of near 35 and ballooning. (The selectors are lickin their licks for Muirehead to awaken) Siddle must go -got a big heart but he's no taller than brett lee yet bowls 15k slower. Clarke has fallen out with Lehmann - evidence? When you see more of the coaches head in the media than the captain there exists a big problem. Hard to say which one will go here. Probably Clarke, his Captaincy and batting were both terrible. Maybe he just misses his beautiful wife. Waiting at home, alone. Or on dancing with the stars, dancing with some handsome footy player.... Geez I'd hate (love) to have a missus like that. Drive me mental. Mitchell Starc realises he's very tall, has a high action and can bowl fast and understands he does not have to bowl full all the time. He developes a nasty short ball and beautiful cutters just short of a length. Mitchell Johnson is suitably impressed and hands him the new ball from there on. After one lesson, David Warner considers a change to 'keeper/batsman. (Twodogs reckons he could be a success) Gilchrist has been egging him on just for a laugh when David says 'I'm serious mate'. Anyway the Aussie balloon has been punctured and better now with a quickly forgotten and worthless series. We could beat India over here with a shield team at present so onwards and upwards selectors.
Nudge
Guest
Clarkes back going down the toilet fast. Can't be that fast he's played 108 of a possible 109 tests
jammel
Guest
I'm holding off calling Warner a great. Rather, I'll make my judgment in 3-4 years. That's out of general prudence but also a little scepticism about Warner's approach. I'd really like to see him knuckle down and score a couple of 200s. He can!
twodogs
Guest
Welll said Gremlins.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Needs to start making big hundreds more often. I'm sure he can and will but the sooner the better. Clarke's back is going down the toilet fast and it's only Warner who is at the point in his career when he can take over that role.
moaman
Guest
Didn't know "playing hard" was so all-encompassing.So basically it excuses any oafish behaviour? Thought it was sport,sport.Not guerilla warfare.
Quitwhinging
Guest
you mean Younis Khan the flat track bully who hasn't scored a test ton out the sub-continent in 8 yrs? grow up sunshine, this is international sport, not playing in the park
Don Freo
Guest
You could argue that makes him greater...big numbers while at a better strike rate.
Don Freo
Guest
Hey, Cricketer, I am part of "all and sundry". Don't speak for me. I like Davy W. He was more likely sledging his team mates in that self-deprecating Aussie way, a great Aussie trait (taking the P155 out of your mates) for finally getting him out. No complaints from overseas...only from Aussie haters suffering with tall-poppy syndrome. That's the horrible Aussie trait.
twodogs
Guest
Good one!
charles lara
Guest
david warner now needs to affirm his greatness by scoring at least a double ton,during the next indian series.He still hasnt faced more than 174 balls in an inings.
matth
Guest
He is certainly The Man at the moment. To make big runs in South Africa and then the sub-continent in consecutive series says that his game can adapt to most conditions. this puts him well ahead of most of his team mates at the moment.
HarryT
Guest
I remember watching a game at Waverley Oval one Saturday and Warner came out to bat. He blocked the first two and then had an almighty swing at the third, but missed, losing his middle stump and ending up on his bum. There was a camera crew filming everything. Apparently he was identified as a talent very young and some one took a gamble on making a documentary about his rise to the top of cricket from the age of eight. Not sure if they are still following him.
spruce moose
Guest
+1
spruce moose
Guest
The Pakistani's have earned it SC, Australia haven't. You have to pick your battles. Giving it to the best player actually makes Warner look more like a douche than Younis. It's fine for Warner to do that if they were winning, or at least in the hunt. They are so far from competitive he just looks like a twat. Remember when he did it to the Indians last year? Its stupid. I mean, there is no point telling Warner to look at the scoreboard. He can't read.
Joel
Roar Rookie
I didn't realise being competitive was an issue in determining a great player. May as well take McGrath and Warne off the list of great players. While you're at it you can remove Ian Botham, Dennis Lillee, Steve Waugh.... you get the point. If Warner keeps up the way he's playing at the moment, in a years time he could be averaging closer to 60 for his career and could potentially in a few years be discussed as one of the many great players to play for Australia. It remains to be seen whether it will happen that way but its could be true nonetheless. Criticising the guy for playing hard says more about you than him, believe me.
Aransan
Guest
Bradman was in a class of his own, Warner might finish up half a tier behind him with Tendulkar, Lara and Warne if we include bowlers.
Aransan
Guest
The Bogan Bradman!