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David Warner, the renowned Australian opener, expressed his belief that he has been practicing better than ever before in the nets as he prepares for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023. While Warner has been a consistent performer in Test cricket and a pillar of Australia’s top order for over a decade, his record in England has been a point of contention.
Despite amassing an impressive 8,158 runs at an average of 45.57 in 103 Tests, Warner’s performance in England has been below par. With only 651 runs at an average of 26.04, his numbers on English soil fall far short of his extraordinary Test record in other countries. Particularly during the last Ashes tour to England, Warner endured a difficult time, accumulating a mere 95 runs from 10 innings and registering the second-worst batting average among the tourists.
However, speaking to Cricket Australia before a nets session, Warner emphasized the positive momentum he has built in recent practice sessions, considering them to be some of the best he has experienced. He attributed his improved form to his recent stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where the format demands an aggressive approach and a constant search for scoring opportunities.
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“I’ve been superb in terms of my footwork, energy, and overall mindset. I’ve been really proactive,” Warner shared confidently.
“The experience in the IPL has been beneficial for my preparation. In that format, you have to constantly look for scoring opportunities, and I believe it has prepared me well for the upcoming Test matches. I’m still focused on scoring runs.”
With the much-anticipated WTC Final on the horizon, Warner, aware of the discussions surrounding his performance in England, acknowledged that his struggle during the 2019 tour was a result of deviating from his game plan. Now, he seems determined to stay true to his approach and make a significant impact in the marquee event.
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