Why Warner is a bonafide ODI great
January 2, 2024
Love or hate him- and it’s safe to say many are in the latter camp- nobody can deny the sheer confidence and talent that David Warner has displayed since his international debut as a 22-year-old kid on January 11, 2009.
On that day, he scored 89 off just 43 balls against a brilliant South Africa attack in a T20i at the MCG. A knock that announced him on the global stage.
Initially demonstrating his propensity for aggression and free-flowing runs in the shortest format, Warner was then able to translate his success in T20 to both the Test and ODI formats.
In an ODI career spanning almost 15 years, culminating in his retirement on New Year’s day, the left-hander compiled a magnificent 6,932 runs in 161 games which featured 33 fifties and 22 hundreds at a strike-rate of 97.26.
His highest score of 179 came in a 57-run victory against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in January 2017 as he and Travis Head shared a stunning 284-run partnership for the opening wicket.
While his overall numbers are undoubtedly impressive, what sets him apart in the pantheon of ODI batting greats was his ability to perform under the highest of pressure: particularly at World Cups.
With Australia lifting the trophy at home in 2015 and in India in 2023, Warner was a vital cog of a ruthless winning machine as he was able to set the tone in both successful tournaments.
Add to that an impressive campaign in 2019 and the Sydney native accrued an unbelievable 1527 runs in 29 World Cup innings at an average of 56.56 as he reeled off six stunning centuries and five fifties.
Fantastic contemporaries have supported his talent- Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to name a few, however without Warner it is difficult to argue that Australia would have been the same scary, relentless proposition.
After all, with that unwavering swagger and an ability to dominate any attack, which bowlers genuinely relished the prospect of bowling at a hungry David Warner in the powerplay? Or a set batter equipped to smashing sixes all around the ground in the latter overs?
No matter the occasion or whoever the other team, he was a man opposition feared and wanted back in the pavilion. As quickly as possible.
Forget about the stats. The memories. The victories. Or the various controversies.
What greater demonstration of his greatness is needed?
When we look back in twenty years, we should ultimately think of a player exceptionally good at his craft over a long period of time. Not the incidents that marred him!
Unfortunately for David Warner, the events of Cape Town in March 2018 will forever be etched in people’s brains…
Left Arm Around 