Agitated, Frustrated, Dis-interested and Ignorant are words that could be used to describe David Warner’s tour of India. For Warner along with the other “W”, Watson it has been their worst tour in the baggy green. But while Watson has had to walk on fire he has deviated the attention off the Matraville mauler.
Warner has been a protected species on the tour while the
like of Cowan and Hughes have been made the scapegoats. Warner’s opening
partner, Ed Cowan, is constantly under scrutiny and it is largely due to his
style of his batting. Phil Hughes first
two tests were diabolical to say the least but along with another new comer,
Steve Smith, both probably looked the most at ease on the Delhi minefield. Perhaps
if we had got a decent pitch in Delhi both could well have got a big score.
Performance analyst, Dene Hills, would have seen their graphs going upwards while
Warner line would have been declining towards the X-Axis.
Unlike Cowan, Warner’s belligerent batting brings the crowd
through the gates but he’s dismissals in the last couple of Tests was an early
indication selectors need to make him accountable for his over ambitious stroke
play. It should be pointed out since the
start of the Australian summer last year, Cowan and Warner runs are almost
identical [615 to 634]. While Cowan keeps living on the sword, Warner last few
innings suggested in a way, he is walk in in this team. Perhaps Warner and Watson need a different
style of “homework”.
Or it was just a learning curve, conservative approach or
just a small indication Warner is long way off the mark in all ways. Sehwag was the first to suggest to Warner, he
could transform into a Test opener and keep his attacking mindset. Watching
Warner from the stands this series it seems he was advised on a conservative approach
on his own part or it has come from the list of coaching guru’s inside the team.
It is evident the way the way he scratched around Warner was trying to differ
from his natural game. No doubt the conditions were alien but did Sehwag ever
play defensively on a rank turner or a green seamer?
Ed Cowan also believed before the tour he needed to attack
the spinners but as the tour went on he learnt to stick to his strengths.
Warner finally came to his senses in the 2nd innings of the 3rd
Test. It was perhaps an innings too late.
Even MS Dhoni at the conclusion of the 3rd test stated “If Australia
had attacked our bowlers in the first session I probably would have run out of
ideas, since it was a wicket best suited for batting”.
By the time the Warner had shown aggressive intent, it was a
little too late. Quick runs weren’t an objective in Mohali and the Delhi pitch
was a Bunsen. It looks even worse when Warner was dismissed off a quick bowler
on a spinner’s paradise. It showed his
mind was in a disorder and thus came the agitation on the field.
Warner’s behaviour on the field is attributed to his
frustration with the bat. Similar to his
batting, the hostility of his words were poorly timed. It was further evidence
Warner’s mind was in chaos. It is no secret Australia play their best cricket
when their aggressive and Warner is their ace, so it has been extremely
disappointment to see him play with a defensive mindset.
The 2nd innings in Delhi was also a perfect
opportunity, even aggressive 30 could have sent the Indians on the back foot
but he instead chose to graft an innings and paid a hefty price.
As the saying goes, the score book has no space to record
how you score the runs but only states the number of runs scored. At least
Cowan has put a price on his wicket and along with Hughes takes strides to
improving his batsmen ship, it’s a shame same cannot be said about Warner on
this tour.
Is David Warner as good as we all perceiver to be? Maybe the
IPL won’t be a bad thing for him overall.
Australia needs the Warner that believes, backs his aggression and
values the baggy green ever further after the nightmare tour of India.
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