It has been a steady decline of form for Australian opener and power hitter David Warner in recent matches.
Warners slump has not come at the best time, with a tour of South Africa just around the corner. Warner is looking sluggish and tired and struggling to get runs on the board.
Warner has taken on the Twenty20 captaincy, leading the Australians to the Tri-Series final. The morale around the team has not been negatively affected, with key players stating that Warner’s captaincy has been nothing but exceptional.
Warner’s form in the T20 – where he first made his mark on the international cricket scene – has been far from his best. It makes you wonder if he is in fact suffering from the dreaded pressure of captaincy that has hurt so many of his predecessors before him in the Test cricketing arena.
Warner’s past three innings in the T20 have all been single figure scores and not even reaching 50 in the one-day series with England. Darren Lehman has no concern picking the 31-year-old in the upcoming Proteas tour which looked like almost a certainly from well before the Ashes series began.
Warner’s innings in Eden Park at the top of the order, making 59 off 24 balls on a smaller ground, really saw him answer his critics with a great captain’s knock.
Warner returned to his very best playing his trademark aggressive style with a sense of responsibility being captain and responding to the doubters.
Warner has played continuous cricket since the Ashes. What Warner needs is a break with his family after three months of non-stop cricket. Warner needs to find out what’s missing and locate that spark that led him to make his mark on the one-day team and in the T20 side throughout his career.
Warner will be the key for Australia in South Africa, especially with his great record against seam and swing bowling. This could hold him in good stead and would be a great way to boost his confidence.
Look for the real David Warner to stand up in the Republic.
Lachlan Mitchell
Roar Guru
Thanks for the feedback Patrick .
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Paul Exactly - the editors have perhaps done their job - the most inappropriate headline - the ready comes on ready to unleash a "you must be joking/one sparrow don't make no summer" style rant and.... Anyway - agreed - he needed a rest and his continued opening of the innings was becoming a liability aided only by the form of those coming after him and modest targets. Eden Park - where a thick leading edge can fly for six is such a joke of a venue - and Warner managed to not get out too soon. Kudos. But the question remains - where does he have his break? btw - notice Kohli's Sth Afr ODI adventure: ODIs: 112, 46*, 160*, 75, 36 and 129* (558 from 3 outs)
Wayne
Roar Guru
Still in a slump, 1 innings doesn't change that. Was Cook Englands 2nd best batsman in ashes this summer? Stats say he was, only just missed out on P1. But only had 1 inninngs. I don't buy into 1 or 2 inninngs dictating form. A run of rubbish LBW calls and getting a few "ball of century" candiates in a row doesn't make you an out of form batsman in same fashion one good innings means form has turned around.
Patrick
Roar Pro
*'our Vice-Captain' Sorry for the typo.
Paul
Roar Guru
I assume you didn't chose the title for this story, Lachlan, because one innings on a flat track with postage size boundaries will not stop the doubters. Great to see him making runs for sure, but he needs to to do more of that, especially in SA, before the doubters will ease up.
Patrick
Roar Pro
Hi Lachlan, Warner's past week has certainly put his recent struggles in perspective. First he wins ODI player of the year, then smashes a quick-fire 59 playing a crucial role in a record run chase. Hopefully his lack of a rest won't be costly in South Africa. Overall, I liked the points you made, but it would be preferable if you didn't refer to out Vice-Captain as 'Warner' every time you mention him. Maybe vary the terminology. Overall though, you make a very valid point.