Published: Oct 17, 2016, 01:14 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 17, 2016, 01:14 PM (IST)
Cricket Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland, is mighty impressed with Australia‘s vice-captain and opener, David Warner‘s transformation since 2013. Three years ago Warner was left out of Australian cricket team and jettisoned to South Africa for punching England’s Joe Root in a Birmingham night club on the eve of the 2013 Ashes. The act was described as ‘despicable’ by Sutherland but he had hoped for this being a big lesson for the left-hander and beginning of a new era for Warner. Even former Australia captain Mark Taylor believes the 29-year-old is Australia’s most complete batsman across cricket’s three formats and much improved. ALSO READ: Faf du Plessis praises Imran Tahir, David Warner’s spirit of cricket after duo had on-field tiff
According to Cricket Australia, seeing the hard work done by Warner in all quarters for his sudden rise, Sutherland stated, “He just continues to step up. You can’t help but be impressed by what he’s doing. Seems as though marriage has been good to him, fatherhood’s been good to him, vice-captaincy’s been good to him and long may that last. He’s stepping up as a leader and continuing to make runs and doing what he does best. I’m very impressed. I think we saw that in him and I don’t think the selectors would have recommended and the board approve his vice-captaincy if we didn’t see the sort of growth trajectory that he was on. We’re very comfortable with the role that he’s playing, the support he’s providing Steven (Smith) and the role he’s playing in the team as well.” ALSO READ: David Warner is the captain Australia need in limited-overs
Warner has captained his country five times without tasting defeat. He’s barely touched an alcoholic beverage and was awarded the Allan Border Medal as Australia’s leading Men’s cricketer in the preceding 12 months. He is also doing a good job as a father after he was named the Australia’s Sporting Father of the Year in September 2016.
