Veteran Australia opener David Warner was not complaining about Sri Lankan wickets after the tourists suffered a third consecutive defeat in the ongoing five-match ODI series on Tuesday (June 21). In fact, he felt that batting on such pitches was perfect practice for the upcoming three-Test series.
Sri Lanka has an unassailable lead of 3-1 in the series, and the final ODI is set to be played on June 24.
Sri Lanka used their spinners to good effect against Australia on the turning pitches, which has been making the tourists’ life tough in the ongoing ODI series, which they have already lost to the hosts.
However, the Aussie opener feels it would be fantastic preparation for them for the upcoming two-match Test series, as they have now got to know what Sri Lanka is going to offer them.
David Warner said after the match: “We're always expecting turning wickets and it's fantastic preparation for us... It's the great practice leading into the Test series. We actually love that they're playing on the wickets back-to-back, that's what we want, we can't get that practice in the nets, the nets are green. For us, it's a great practice out in the middle with these dustbowls. It's going to be exciting for the Test matches in Galle because we know what we're going to get there.”
Chasing 259 for victory on Tuesday, Warner (99) was trying to anchor the chase in his 110-ball stay while bravely handling the spinners before losing his wicket to the leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
He further explained of Sri Lanka’s spin tactics: “In one-day cricket, you've got to try and go for it, so it actually helps you be positive. You can take that into the Test match series -- use your feet, get deep in your crease, and come at them a little bit. We're seeing what they're going to deliver.
These are things that we expect (and) that happened in 2016 when Australia suffered a 3-0 Test whitewash – it's just there's no Rangana Herath (28 wickets) this time. They've obviously got other spinners who are in their Test team but it's nothing that's going to be unexpected for us.”
Warner signed off by saying, “This is extreme spin, you don't usually see these types of wickets, you only see them here. India is completely different, they're actually good wickets and they turn day three and four. In the subcontinent, one little mistake will cost you. You've got to be 'on' all the time. It's going to be difficult, especially with the heat, but we're looking forward to it.”
(With AFP Inputs)
