David Warner has made a very lean start to the DP World International League T20 in a concerning sign ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.
Warner retired from Test cricket after the New Year’s Test at the SCG and also announced his retirement from One Day Internationals despite previously floating the possibility of playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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The 37-year-old is now focusing solely on the T20 format and will still play plenty of cricket in T20 franchise tournaments around the world.
The opener scored 37 and 13 in two digs for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash and he hasn’t made a great start to his campaign with the Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 in the UAE.
Warner has scores of 1, 20, 0, 21, 16 and 4 from six innings so far and has looked below his best in the tournament.
On Friday he was dismissed by Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, lofting a delivery to Colin Munro as the Capitals lost to the Desert Vipers by four wickets.
“The horror run continues for DW. More left arm pace the undoing” the commentator said.
Former Big Bash journeyman Ben Dunk scored 59 runs off 30 balls for the Capitals.
Warner played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumph at the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t picked for this year’s tournament, which begins in the USA and Caribbean in June.
Warner is contracted to the Dehili Capitals for this year’s Indian Premier League season, where he’ll hope to rediscover some form ahead of the T20 World Cup in the middle of the year.
If his struggles continue, it appears Australia has a ready made replacement waiting in the wings.
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis opened the batting instead of two-time reigning BBL player of the year Matt Short in Australia’s eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the first ODI on Friday.
Inglis scored a rapid fire 65 off 43 balls (strike rate of 151.16) and was elevated to Australia’s ODI side during last year’s World Cup.
He will likely be in a battle with Matthew Wade for the wicketkeeping spot in Australia’s T20 side but could play as an opener or further down the order.
Warner has been named in Australia’s squad for the three-match T20I series against the West Indies beginning in Hobart next week.
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