An explosive batsman, Australian new batting sensation David Warner took the cricketing world by surprise when he made a whirlwind 89 off just 43 balls in his debut T20 match against South Africa a couple of months back.
His meteoritic rise can be understood by the fact that he was the first man since 1877 to represent Australia without having played any first class match. His strike rate of over 155 in the five T20 matches for Australia was enough to earn him a lucrative contract with Delhi Daredevils for Indian Premier League, 2009. But like any other player, Warner does not want to be pigeonholed as a T20 batsman and wishes to play Test matches for his country.
Zeecric.com’s Biswajit Jha caught up with the 22-year dashing batsman during the practice session for Daredevils at Delhi’s Firozshah Kotla for an exclusive one-on-one.
Excerpts:
What was your reaction when you first heard the news of IPL contract?
It was one of such shock, when I got the news (laughs).
How is your preparation for IPL?
Since I have just played for Australia in ODI and T20, I can say that I am well prepared for this lucrative event.
What’s your strength as a cricketer?
My strength is power (grins). I like to hit the ball all over the park.
You are one of the rare cases of being drafted into the Australian ODI and T20 squads without having played a single first class match. Don’t you think that you got your opportunity too early?
Not really. I am a natural stroke-maker, so I got my opportunity in T20 and ODIs. I think I am ready for the two formats.
But it may hurt you in the long run…..
It depends. I have to play first class cricket seriously and learn to adapt my game according to the situation. One has to play first class cricket to learn the intricacies of the longer formats of the game.
Tell me David, are you serious about playing Test cricket?
Yeah, why not? I like to play Tests too. It’s a fact that I am more suited to the shorter versions of the game. But, like every cricketer, I do not want to be pigeonholed as a T20 player and want to play Tests, too.
What will be your approach in Tests?
Since I am a natural hitter, I won’t be playing Test matches like a defensive player. I would rather cut down some risky shots that I play in abbreviated formats of the game. Cricket is all about how you adjust to different conditions and situations.
What will be your likely average in Tests matches?
It won’t be something like 150 (like in T20), but something like 70 or 80.
What have you learnt after having spent time in the Australian dressing room?
The most important thing is the work ethics that I learnt in the Oz dressing room. Besides, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ponting and Hussey is a lesson in itself.
Whom do you idolise as a batsman?
In Tests it is Ricky Ponting, and in ODIs it has to be Adam Gilchrist.
And in T20?
David Warner (Laughs)...just kidding mate (laughs)…it’s Gilchrist. He is an awesome hitter.
What is the reason for Australia’s recent slump of form?
It’s cricket after all…these things happen in cricket.
Since Delhi Daredevils have two explosive openers in Sehwag and Gambhir, where do you see yourself in batting-order?
I have no such choices regarding my batting-order. I will like to bat wherever my team wants me to.
With your style of batting you may fail in some point of time. Then you would need some backing from your captain. Have you found that backing from Ricky so far?
Yeah, definitely. He asked me not to worry about failure and go for my shots which are my real strength as a batsman.
Thanks David. Best of wishes for the IPL.
