Red-hot David Warner ready to 'maintain his rage' against Pakistan

Sport360 staff 11:22 02/11/2019
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  • David Warner may have been fuming over his lack of runs in England, but his ‘rage’ is helping him with a happy homecoming in Australia.

    Warner was the second-highest run-scorer at the 2019 World Cup but suffered when attentions turn to red-ball cricket in the summer for the Ashes, in which he averaged a measly 9.5.

    Back in an Australia jersey for the first time since his ball-tampering ban, however, the 33-year-old has hit the ground running having smacked 217 runs without losing his wicket in the 3-0 T20 series whitewash over Sri Lanka.

    Australia face top-ranked T20 nation Pakistan in the first game of three at the SCG on Sunday, and Warner sees no reason why his red-hot white-ball form can’t continue.

    “I’ve always been confident,” he told reporters after his 57 not out in the third T20 against Sri Lanka in Melbourne on Friday.

    “I was out of runs (in England). For me, it’s about going out there and trying to apply myself 100 per cent, like I do every time. I’ve been hitting the ball as well as ever.

    “I haven’t changed any routines. I’ve just maintained that rage to go out there and back myself and play to the best of my ability.”

    T20 skipper Aaron Finch – who opens the batting alongside Warner – says his side are only too happy to follow the in-form batsman’s lead.

    “The confidence he gives to the group when he’s playing well is huge,” Finch said. “When he performs well, the team wins. That’s a huge asset to have in your side.

    “Especially for some of the inexperienced guys in the squad, it’s a great learning curve for them to be able to have him and Steve (Smith) around.”

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