Published: Aug 11, 2015, 04:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 11, 2015, 04:39 PM (IST)
David Warner is confident of retaining the opener’s position in the fifth and final 2015 Ashes Test at Oval and perhaps he has been eying the Test side’s vice-captaincy under the leadership of Steve Smith after the sudden retirement of Australian skipper Michael Clarke. The Australian batsman, who was one of the most controversial cricketers some time back has gone through a massive change in personality and the birth of his daughter Ivy Mae can be given credit to a certain extent. READ: David Warner’s wife Candice Falzon explains importance of WAGs on overseas tour
Warner is running fourth on the table of most runs, with 333 runs off four games, behind English batsman Joe Root, Chris Rogers and Steve Smith. He is the only Australian to score four half-centuries in the series so far.
According to a report from Cricket Australia, while the Chief Executive James Sutherland was not specific about the next vice-captain, Warner is confident about being the right choice and ready for the deputy’s role. “I had my first captain experience in the IPL this year. I felt like I had the team going in the right direction and I got some great feedback from the coaching staff and guys like VVS Laxman and Muthiah Muralidaran as well, so it was pleasing to hear that.” READ: David Warner emerges as strong candidate for Australia’s vice-captaincy post
Warner captained the Sunrisers Hyderabad, which included Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, South African speedster Dale Steyn and Australian allrounder Moises Henriques, in the eight edition of Indian Premier League (IPL).
“Definitely if the opportunity (to be vice-captain) arises I’d love to take that, but obviously at the end of the day I’ve got to do my job for the team, which is to score runs.” PHOTO: David Warner spending time with daughter before 5th Ashes 2015 Test
Although, along with his other teammates even Warner failed to score consistently in the ongoing Ashes, the overall good run with the bat will get the New South Wales born cricketer into consideration for the vice-captain’s job. The 28-year old has played a lot of cricket along with Smith and is self-assured of tuning well with him while leading the Test side. “We’ve played a lot of cricket together. He’s got great ideas and I feel that I definitely can work with him. We’re always talking out on the field amongst ourselves anyway; obviously with him (Smith) being the vice-captain (now) and throwing ideas to the skipper, and as a unit we’re always talking.”
Former Australian coach Tom Moody has stepped up in his support. “Every player goes through a period of development and maturity, and I think Davey, along with many others, has gone through that journey. Probably the biggest one of our recent times has been Ricky Ponting. He hasn’t committed a crime. He, like thousands of other sportsmen, has gone through those developing stages in becoming a complete international player … you learn from your mistakes,” he was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald. READ: Brendon McCullum says Australia will find a way out after Ashes 2015 defeat
