‘Everyone keeps writing me off’: Chaos reigns as Warner hits critics for six

Save articles for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Travis Head has been given the nickname “Chaos” by his teammates and David Warner is loving the carnage they are creating as Australia aim to put the final nail in England’s World Cup coffin.

While Head grabbed the limelight with his 67-ball 109 against New Zealand after missing six weeks with a broken hand, Warner has feasted on runs he says have made those who wanted him gone “look stupid”.

Despite England being last and Australia fourth there will be tension between the teams that goes beyond historical rivalry, with England players recently resurrecting the spirit of cricket argument over Jonny Bairstow’s stumping when he walked out of his crease at Lord’s during the drawn Ashes series.

Asked if he had spoken to a still agitated Bairstow since the incident, Warner replied: “Not since the lunchroom” and laughed. Shortly after the incident Bairstow clashed with the Australians in the shared Lord’s lunchroom and stormed out.

England subsequently failed to have post Ashes drinks with the Australians, refusing to open their dressing room door despite winning the last Test to level the series.

While there is the possibility of added niggle between the sides, Warner is wary of writing England off despite their dreadful tournament to date.

Travis Head has been nicknamed “Chaos” by his teammates because of his brutal battingCredit: Getty

“It’d be nice to, but they’re one of the teams that are the most dangerous when there’s nothing to lose,” Warner said. “They’ve got some very, very quality players and we have to respect it. They bat to 11 and their bowling unit is very good, so for us we’ve just got to start as well as we can. In Ahmedabad, the ground’s obviously a lot bigger and [the] wicket’s a nice true wicket.”

The major talking point surrounding Warner for the past year or more has been his Test form. He has averaged 30 in just one of his last six series, thanks to a career-saving double century against South Africa during the Boxing Day Test, and 35 in one of his last nine, raising ongoing questions about his future as a Test cricketer.

But he has averaged 40 or better in four of his last five one-day series and is the second-highest run scorer in this World Cup, with 413 runs at an average of 69 and a strike rate of almost 113.

“Everyone keeps writing me off,” Warner said ahead of Saturday’s match against England at Ahmedabad, where victory will all but assure Australia a semi-final berth and end any mathematical finals hopes last-placed England still have.

David Warner is the second highest run scorer in this World CupCredit: AP

“I’m doing as well as I can, I’m just trying to go out there and start as well as I can up front in the first 10 (overs). And if I get in I try and make the most of it. And it’s also awesome to have Heady and Mitch (Marsh) there as well, because it allows that pressure to keep being put back onto the opposition.”

Twice in the past three matches Australia have made blazing opening stands, with Head and Warner (81 in 65 balls) adding 175 in just 19.1 overs against New Zealand and Warner combining with Marsh for 259 in 34 overs against Pakistan en route to individual scores of 163 and 121 respectively.

“It doesn’t matter to me, whether it’s him or Mitch, they’re both exactly the same player, but it’s good to see Heady come out and fire. You know, he’s obviously came back where he left off in Africa (before suffering a broken hand) and it’s good to save him amongst the runs and hopefully he keeps continuing it in Ahmedabad.

“That’s just his game plan, he likes to go after every single ball. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Chaos’ you know, just seems to be hitting the middle all the time. And that’s the way he plays. And that’s good because at the other end, it allows a bit of pressure on the bowlers, and then I can get some bad balls as well. And it works vice versa. So we are gelling really well together but to see him hit the ball out of the middle like he did was something special.”

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

Most Viewed in Sport

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article