Ex-Australian cricket star Mark Waugh pinpoints David Warner as the linchpin for Australia's success in the forthcoming 3-match ODI series against the 2023 ODI World Cup hosts, India. The series is being viewed as a preparatory stage for the marquee event, scheduled for October.
Ahead of the inaugural ODI, Waugh emphasized Warner's prowess and experience in Indian conditions. He believes that if Warner provides Australia with explosive starts, Pat Cummins-led squad will thrive in the subcontinent.
"David Warner is going to be a real key in for Australia in the Indian conditions, he has played here for a number of years. He knows the conditions here pretty well and in India, you have to play to the conditions very well. There might be a spinning track at some venue and then a seaming track in another one. Warner is a class player, that hundred in South Africa will give him a lot of confidence because his Test match cricket has dropped a little bit in the last couple of years," Waugh said ahead of the toss on Jio Cinema.
Warner's recent form against South Africa reinforces this belief. Despite a scoreless start in the 5-match series, he bounced back spectacularly. Warner's blitzkrieg of 106 runs from just 93 balls in Bloemfontein was instrumental in handing Australia a mammoth 123-run victory against the Proteas. This century marked his 20th in ODIs, leveling him with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for tons scored against South Africa.
Beyond individual brilliance, Warner exhibited exemplary teamwork. He combined with Marnus Labuschagne to register a 151-run partnership, setting a daunting score for South Africa. Following this, he produced a solid 78-run inning in the series' third match.
"I do feel that he is a real threat in ODI cricket and with Travis Head not being there, there is going to be a lot of pressure on him. Warner is a rhythm player and when he plays well, he gets the team off to a great start and sets a real good platform," Mark Waugh concluded.
However, Warner's prior performance in India, marked by a lackluster Border-Gavaskar Trophy and an underwhelming IPL season, raises some concerns. Yet, with his regained form and the looming ODI World Cup – likely his last – Warner is poised to capitalize on every chance.
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