‘Too old too slow’ David Warner silenced critics, led Australia’s T20 World Cup win

David Warner scripted a comeback story within a month. From being stripped off Sunrisers Hyderabad’s captaincy and being benched in the IPL to receiving the Player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, the Aussie opener justified ‘the bear’ tag, his captain Aaron Finch used to describe him. The Kangaroos defeated New Zealand in the final to lift the trophy 

Warner finished the 2021 T20 World Cup with 289 runs at an average of 48.16, including a crucial half-century in the final. Receiving the player of the tournament trophy he said,” Always felt really well. Didn’t get much time in the middle in the two practice matches obviously. But for me it was about going back to basics. Going to hard, synthetic wickets and try to hit some balls. Definitely up there with 2015. Being part of the World Cup final against England a decade ago definitely hurt.”

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“These guys are a great bunch of guys. Great support staff, great team, great support back home. Just wanted to put on a great spectacle for everyone. Bit of nerves around with a good score on the board. Just great to see the guys deliver.”

Aaron Finch in the post match ceremony spoke about how writing off Warner was almost like poking the bear. 

While Justin Langer watched in appreciation when Warner sent the New Zealand bowlers on a leather hunt, his mind must have gone back to a conversation with Finch when the maverick opener was sidelined by the SunRisers Hyderabad coaching staff.

“Without a word of a lie, I promise you, I called Justin Langer a few months ago and said, ‘Don’t worry about Davey, he’ll be Man of the Tournament’,” Finch claimed later.

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Finch didn’t want to dwell on the IPL chapter as he wasn’t actively a part of what Warner went through but as a sportsman, he fully understands what a ‘Champions’ Ego’ means.

“…he’s (Warner) a great player. He’s one of the all-time great batters. And he’s a fighter. He’s someone who when his back is against the wall, that’s when you get the very, very best of David Warner.

“It was a special finish to the tournament for him, the last couple of knocks,” said Finch, who personally felt that Adam Zampa, for his brilliant control during middle overs, could also have been a contender.

Warner’s wife Candice’s tweeted, “Out of Form, Too Old, Slow!.” Those were some of the criticisms that were directed at Warner after a few below-par games.