Not content with a foul mouthed online tirade via Twitter with Australian journalists, Australia’s David Warner turned his attention to England’s Joe Root in a drunken late night attack more reminiscent of the spoilt behaviour the public have become accustomed to seeing from overpaid footballers. From becoming a potential future captain of Australia Warner now finds himself firmly starring at an extended break this summer and watching the Ashes from the comfort of his sofa, rather than being in the heat of the battle.
Australia will do well not to push the panic button just yet – anyone who has seen Warner’s test hundreds against South Africa and India will know that despite a modest test average of 39 from 19 games, Warner’s strike rate of just under 70 in test matches suggests he can transform a passage of play, a match and indeed a series in the space of a couple of hours.
Australia have picked a squad with potentially five players vying for the two opening spots, but the alternatives do not provide the same x-factor as Warner – Ed Cowan is solid but unspectacular, Shane Watson ego-driven and inconsistent, Phil Hughes a sitting duck for England’s seam attack, and Chris Rodgers only proven at domestic level and no higher. Warner’s refreshing approach to batting is exactly what Australia need if they are to come out on top against England’s potent bowling attack, who although are an impressive unit, are definitely vulnerable when the attack is taken to them. Even West Indies’ Tino Best became close to becoming the first number 11 in test match history to score a century with an audacious display of strokeplay against England.
Australia’s past two defeats in the Ashes have primarily come from being too timid and backing down, surely they need an in your face character like Warner to carry the fight (not literally) to England this summer?
