Warner fires when the pressure is highest
DAVID Warner has emphatically snapped his form drought in a week in which Greg Chappell – his first big-time supporter – released a cricket book with a sage piece of wisdom.
In the book, Not Out, Chappell says with great players, he never had an issue with giving them that extra few games to prove themselves, because their class was assured and you’re always likely to find a bit more petrol at the bottom of the tank.
And so it’s proven for Warner, who has rescued himself and his country with two fighting innings when both needed it the most. His gameshaping 49 off 30 balls in the semi-final against Pakistan took Warner to some unusual places.
He was bizarrely accused of bad sportsmanship by former Indian player Gautam Gambhir, for having the audacity – wait for it – to hit a bad ball out of the stadium for six.
The ball from Mohammad Hafeez bounced twice but it was complete nonsense from Gambhir because however Warner hit it, Allan Border would have hit it even further, such was his tolerance for shoddy deliveries. But the craziest moment came when Warner walked when given out caught behind, despite the fact there was clean air between bat and ball.
Warner’s brutal innings set the tone and that’s now two big scores in a row heading into the final following his matchwinning 89 not out against the West Indies.
Coming into the tournament, Warner was under enormous pressure following his dropping at the IPL and lack of match play all year. But much like a boxer who needs smelling salts, Warner is at his best when he’s being hunted.
Being challenged stimulates him and Australia’s faith in his ability could soon reap the ultimate reward.