Australia opener David Warner finally got back to some form after hitting 65 off 42 balls against Sri Lanka in a Super 12 clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup in UAE. It was the southpaw’s first-ever score of 50 since coming to UAE at the start of the second leg of the Indian Premier League in September.
Asked whether it was a good enough knock to shut the critics who have been making a point to dissect every Warner innings as low and slow and lacking confidence even during the warm-up games, the New South Wales man said that he doesn’t believe in shutting critics.
"Shutting the critics down? No, never. That's the world of sport. When you ride the highs, you've got to ride the lows and you've got to stay confident, keep a smile on your face, and never let it get to you,” said Warner in the post-match press conference after Australia’s seven-wicket win over the Lankans while chasing down 155.
Tackling Maheesh Theekshana, the mystery spinner who has a good combination of carrom ball and traditional off-spin was not going to be easy for a left-hander. But Warner said that he had a plan and was glad that it came off.
"When they're [off spinners] coming over the wicket, they've obviously got their carrom ball to come straight down the line. For me, it's actually a low-risk shot to go with the spin and because you've only got two [fielders] out to protect, you've got to back yourself. It's a shot that I favour. You've got to apply pressure and that's how I start my innings against spin," he said.
"I got criticised when I got out to Ashwin in the practice game playing the same shot. We know which bowlers are bowling what, we know where the fields are and we know how to try and apply pressure. If it comes off, it comes off,” the 35-year-old added.
Warner getting back to form is crucial in the sense that Australia now play arch-rivals England in the Super 12 clash on Saturday in Dubai and looking at the kind of form the English are in, it would be nothing short of sensational.