By Joel Gould
A David Warner masterclass set up Australia’s 31-run Twenty20 win over the West Indies at the Gabba on Friday but the clean hitting of No.6 batsman Tim David will have the biggest implications for the World Cup.
The West Indies, restricted to 8-147, were always off the pace chasing Australia’s 7-178.
Australian left-armer Mitchell Starc (4-20 off four overs) returned career-best figures and pulled off a screamer of a caught-and-bowled to dismiss opener Kyle Mayers.
Earlier Warner (75 off 41 balls) had given Australia’s innings its impetus in cavalier style but David (42 off 20) showcased his outstanding finishing with three sixes in a powerhouse cameo.
David and Steve Smith, who came in at No.4, are both in Australia’s World Cup squad and could be battling it out for a regular spot in the middle order.
David Warner at the Gabba on Friday.Credit:Getty
Smith (17 off 16) struggled at the end of the innings, whereas David thrived and put pressure on Australia’s selectors. The Mumbai Indians signed the 26-year-old for $1.5 million at the 2022 IPL auction to signify how highly regarded the Singapore-born right-hander is as a T20 finisher.
Australia opened with all-rounder Cameron Green, as they did in the T20 clash on Wednesday night, but he managed only one.
Green’s stint as an opener worked a treat in India on the recent tour but on faster, bouncier pitches in Australia he is yet to reap dividends.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has managed just eight runs in his past five T20 games for Australia but was unlucky to be run out for one after a mix-up with Smith.
It is the batting and all-rounder positions that will be the most hotly contested for Australia at the World Cup, with pace trio Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins already in strong form and certainties of selection.
The West Indies will be buoyed before their World Cup qualifiers by the performance of paceman Alzarri Joseph (3-21 off four) who troubled most of the batsmen with his pace and bounce.
Warner was in supreme form. He has always enjoyed the ball coming onto the bat at the Gabba and was able to free his arms to play his trademark pull shots and slashes through the covers.
Most notably, the 35-year-old launched one effortless sweep over the fine-leg boundary from a Jason Holder slower ball.
AAP
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