Having been picked up as Hundred side London Spirit’s second draft pick early this week, former Australian cricketer David Warner will be making the Lord’s his home ground for England Cricket Board’s marquee event. Having faced the ire of the England fans during his international career, including a face-off against MCC members in the long room during the second Ashes Test in 2023, Warner has appealed to the English fans to not boo London Spirit but him if they want to. Warner was earlier picked up by Southern Brave in the tournament in its inaugural edition in 2021 before he pulled out due to international commitments and this will be the first time that the Australian will be playing in the Hundred.
“We just have to wait until I step foot on that park first won’t we?. I’ll have to walk past the Long Room first to get to the changing room! I’m really looking forward to it. I know how the English crowds are and that excites me as well, whether they’re supporting me, the team or whoever it is. I just love being over there, playing in front of the crowd. I actually want them to come at Australians. I love that stuff. That’s what gets me going. But I want them to support London Spirit. If they want to boo me, boo me, but don’t boo the team or anything like that. Keep cheering for us,” Warner told the media on Thursday.
The 38-year-old had retired from international cricket last year post the T20 World Cup. Warner has been part of the Fox Cricket commentary team and will be present for commentary in The Ashes later this year. The former opener shared his views about England’s approach and opined that he is not convinced about the ‘Bazball’ approach working in Australia.
“I don’t know if Bazball is a myth now over there (in England), but I can’t see it happening in Australia with the bounce and everything and the fields. It would be pretty high risk to play that in Australia. Given that you want to wear the wickets out a little bit, get into day four, day five, it’s probably not the way to go about it. But if that is the way they go about it, it’s going to be high tempo, high energy and we’ll all get a couple of days off at the back end I think,” said Warner.
England last won the Ashes in 2015 with Australia retaining the urn since then. Since 1986-87, England have won the Ashes only once in Australia and Warner has counted Australia as his pick to win the Ashes this year. “At the moment, just with the Australians (as favourites). Not just knowing the conditions but you’ve got over 1,400 international, or Test wickets in that lineup with the Australian cricket team. They’re world class bowlers, they’re always going to turn out and that’s the biggest hurdle for England,” said Warner.
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