Australia Test captain Tim Paine sounded confident about the chances of David Warner playing in the third Test against India in Sydney, saying the mere presence of the destructive batsman makes them a better side and fills the rest of the team with exuberance and energy on the field.
Warner had missed the one ODI and first two Tests against India due to groin injury and is yet to fully recover, but is highly likely to play in the Sydney Test starting January 7 (Thursday) after Australia’s top order batting flopped in the first two Tests at home.
Praising Warner, Paine stated: “Hopefully, if he gets in and gets away, that puts pressure back on opposition right away. Regardless of whom we are playing, we are a better team when David Warner is in that team from the runs he scores or the energy he brings into the group.”
He added, “David has been awesome. Fills the guys with a lot of confidence, he is a player you love having on your side. Always got plenty to say, really energetic, professional and I have always loved playing with him. He protects our middle-order a bit with Marnus (Labuschagne) and Steve coming in. Other guys coming when bowlers are a bit tired, it's an advantage. So, David has got a huge role for us.”
However, the Australia skipper doesn’t think their batting formula had gone for a toss in Warner's absence in the two Tests so far in the ongoing four-Test series against India.
Paine explained, “I don't think so as batting formula is very individual. You definitely want to bat long periods of time but how you do it is up to the player. David is known as a dashing opening batter but if the conditions are not favorable he's got to respect that. In short, he likes to be aggressive and no doubt about that but he has got great hand-eye skills and he can often score quicker than others.”
On Test debut probable Will Pucovski, the captain said: “Will has been fantastic as well. He has been out of the bubble for a couple of weeks. He is fresh and batting well in the nets, looks ready to go if he is called upon.
Not for me but there will be anxiety around for anyone who is playing his first Test. Yeah, Will's been hit on the head a few times but he plays the short ball really well. As long as he is comfortable, we are comfortable. He is good to go and that's not a concern for him.”
Paine also hinted at using the bouncer tactic liberally in the upcoming Sydney Test against India, adding: “Playing Test cricket is difficult and playing short ball of that pace is uncomfortable if you know someone had a weakness in that particular area. It's part of the game.”
He signed off by saying, “It tests your mettle and shows what you are made up of unless you show otherwise. I think a short ball is a great option and I think it will continue to happen. That's the tactic we have used and we expect to get plenty of back as well.”
(With PTI Inputs)
