Published: Aug 11, 2015, 04:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 11, 2015, 04:07 PM (IST)
The 28-year-old left-handed opener David Warner has emerged as a strong candidate among the ruins that are left in Australian team, for the post of vice-captaincy. Even though Cricket Australia (CA) is likely to make an official announcement, the 26-year-old Steve Smith is likely to take over the charge of leadership once Michael Clarke‘s career comes to an end after the fifth and final Test against England in the Ashes 2015. Australia have already lost the series 3-1 and the changes in the team were inevitable.
Warner, an aggressive batsman who has played 42 Tests for Australia so far in his career that began less than four years ago against New Zealand in December 2011, has established himself as one of the pillars in the Australian batting line-up. Warner has scored 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, and averages a little over 46 in the longest form of the sport. He has scored 3,564 runs so far. ALSO READ: Ricky Ponting expects David Warner to become better person after bar brawl incident
Warner is an aggressive player by nature and on many occasions he has ran into trouble. While he has been a part of many on-field altercations, the most famous one would undoubtedly be the infamous incident of punching Joe Root in an Australian-themed bar ‘Walkabout’ in Edgbaston. Warner was censured, fined as well as banned after incident. He was pulled out of Australia’s remaining matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, and Australia’s two warm-up matches ahead of The Ashes 2013. ALSO READ: Where is the real David Warner?
Despite his aggressive attitude, Warner has been a very successful player for Australia. He was an important member of their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 winning team four months ago, and also enjoys a massive following in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Warner is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), a team that is coached by former Australian cricketer Tom Moody.
Moody has stepped up in support for Warner as the talks intensify for him to be made Smith’s deputy. “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,” Moody was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.
“I don’t think he has to prove anything to anyone. He’s shown over time that he’s not only an extremely capable international cricketer but he’s shown he’s someone who can be trusted with responsibility,” Moody added.
There is no clarity as to when Cricket Australia (CA) will make the official announcement. Australia will be playing one more tour game this weekend, and their preparations for the final Ashes 2015 Test will begin only next week.
