David Warner on the WTC ultimate: ‘It ought to be not less than a three-game collection’
David Warner want to see the World Test Championship (WTC) ultimate performed as a three-Test collection as a substitute of a one-off recreation.
Australia tackle India at The Oval from June 7, step one in an enormous six months for them as they problem for the Test title, the Ashes after which the ODI World Cup. Warner has performed in World Cup finals earlier than – has received them too – however is wanting ahead to a primary five-day title.
“I think it’s great,” he stated forward of a coaching session in Beckenham. “I have been – I won’t say critical – but I do think it should be at least a three-game series with Test cricket only. You play two years of good cricket, then you play on a neutral venue against an opposition. We’ve all played here before but [this game is] not against the same [host] nation.
“It’s an ideal reward for the 2 greatest groups. Two world-class bowling assaults bowling with a Dukes ball on international land. It’s nice and we’re excited for that.”
Given an increasingly cramped calendar and the demands on a schedule a three-Test series will make on any host nation, it is unlikely Warner’s wish will become reality anytime soon. Speaking last week, the ICC’s general manager cricket, Wasim Khan said that though there is constant review of the structure, the current feedback from members was that the league and one-off final was “persevering with to work as it’s”.
Members have committed to the league and final for the next eight-year cycle.
Warner cops blow on elbow but he’s good to go
Warner should be fine to play in the final, despite taking another hit to his left elbow in nets a couple of days ago. It hit him on the same spot as the Mohammed Siraj delivery in the second innings of the Delhi Test earlier this year. That blow resulted in a hairline fracture which dominated him out of the remaining two Tests of the collection.
“It was sore, it bought me proper on the identical level from a distinct angle,” he said. “It went numb, needed to get it strapped. It’s high-quality now, a little bit bit sore. Luckily it did not hit me on high.
“The last one hit from above and had a hairline fracture. This one was a straight blow on the corner of the elbow which was quite sore. Just one of those things, you get hit, you get hit, can’t do anything about it.”
Warner goes into the ultimate with questions round his Test kind. He averages 26 for the reason that begin of 2022 however stated he’d been batting within the nets higher than he ever remembers.
“I remember 2013, I was in the nets and copping it left, right and centre in the media about getting bowled by Mitchell Starc and all the other guys and how I wasn’t in form in the nets. I found that a bit bizarre because I’m probably one of the worst netters going around. But here, I’ve actually been superb, in terms of how my feet have been moving. My energy’s been moving, I’ve been up and about. I’m probably batting better than I ever have in the nets.”
With a Test underway at Lord’s already and the Ashes to start out in slightly below two weeks, the WTC ultimate – in England however with out England – has needed to struggle a little bit for its share of the eye. Warner, not less than, was clear about his speedy priorities: Stuart Broad later, Mohammed Shami and Co for now.
“I haven’t really worked on that [plans for Broad] yet,” he stated. “I’m concentrating on the WTC final. Mohammed Shami and [Mohammed] Siraj and Shardul Thakur is what’s on my mind first. That’s what important to us right now, then I’ll switch on and worry about Stuart Broad if they select him for the first Test this time.”
“We’ve played some outstanding cricket over the last 18-24 months. We know what India will bring to the table. It’s a great neutral venue, two world-class bowling attacks with a Dukes ball and from a batter’s perspective, I can’t wait to get out there.”