Former Australia wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist, who is considered as one of the greatest openers in the history of ODIs, wants David Warner to open for Australia during ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. In an interview with PTI a week ago, Gilchrist had given a stern response to voices which want the Australian team to play Warner in the middle-order.
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One must note that Warner is just second to Gilchrist in the list of most ODI runs scored among Australian openers. It is not new for people to suggest a role change for a big player ahead of a global tournament. There were similar talks regarding former India captain Virat Kohli as well a few weeks ago where some of the experts wanted him to bat at No. 4 instead of his usual No. 3 position.
Adam Gilchrist Wants David Warner To Open The Batting For Australia In 2023 World Cup
Gilchrist, who was in India for a promotional event, categorically denied supporting any such move which includes Warner batting anywhere other than the opening slot. One of those players who have the ability to put pressure back on the bowlers from the word go, Warner’s ability to smash bowlers from the very first ball could prove beneficial for the Aussies in the world event beginning next month.
Backing Warner to play at his natural position, Gilchrist iterated how the confidence and aggression that he brings to the table can frighten the bowling line-up of any side.
“[David] Warner looked really good in South Africa for the most part of what he did. I think he has got to bat at the top, there has been some sort of discussions that he bats down the middle order but I think he has got to open,” Gilchrist told PTI.
Warner showed signs of coming back to form in the recently concluded five-match ODI series against South Africa. He scored 206 runs in five innings at an average of 41.2 including one century and half-century each. A strike rate of 121.17 was the most delightful part as Australia want him firing at the top unlike recent times.
It is to be noted that six out of Warner’s 20 ODI centuries have witnessed him scoring daddy hundreds in excess of the 150-run mark. Furthermore, his varied experience of playing on the Indian pitches will make the Australian team management look silly if they don’t open with him.
With Warner’s opening partner Travis Head recently fracturing his left hand and being an uncertainty for the World Cup, it won’t be a good idea to start with two inexperienced openers despite the presence of X-factor players in their lineup.
How Has David Warner Performed As a Middle-Order Batter In International Cricket?
Warner, who has played 149 ODIs thus far, has played in the middle-order for just a couple of times. One was against Scotland in 2015 when he batted at No. 5 scoring 21* (6). The other occasion came against India in Chennai earlier this year.
In the latest instance, Warner was made to bat in the middle-order because all-rounder Mitchell Marsh had done well as an opener after the former had missed the first two matches on fitness grounds. While Australia didn’t look to tinker Marsh-Head’s pair in a bilateral series, one doesn’t expect them to not open with Warner in a marquee competition.
Speaking of the other white-ball format at the highest level, all four of Warner’s innings in the middle-order had come over seven years ago. Readers must note that Warner’s lone Test innings in the middle-order had come more than a decade ago during Ashes 2013.
