David Warner’s batting coach insists there has not been an Australian cricketer as fit at the age of 36 as the aggressive opener, and says he has not shown the same decline as Ricky Ponting did in his twilight years.
Trent Woodhill, a batting coach to several greats of the game, said he has not seen any decline in Warner’s footwork or hand-eye coordination, despite a lean run with the bat that has restricted the left-hander to an average of less than 21 in 10 Tests this year. His career average is 45.52.
David Warner remains technically strong despite his on-field struggles, says his batting coach.Credit:Getty Images
Woodhill, an assistant coach with the Australian one-day international side, worked with Warner through the recent series at home against England, including a one-on-one session at the Adelaide Oval before Warner made 86. Warner reached three figures in the final ODI at the MCG.
“I was expecting to have to spend a bit of time with him, but he was moving great, his feet were good, late contact [with the ball],” Woodhill said.
“It’s a fine line. I [keep a close eye on] players in their first 20 balls in Tests, but I am not seeing anything wrong. We know how much [Ricky] Ponting struggled at the back end, his footwork and eyesight, and we see how players go down hill, I am not seeing that with David.”
Ricky Ponting had all sorts of problems in his final Test series, on this occasion bowled by South African Jacques Kallis in Adelaide.Credit:Mark Kolbe
Test great Ponting finished with an imposing career average of 51.85 in 168 Tests, but he averaged 33 or less in six of his final seven series, including 6.4 in a tortuous final campaign against South Africa when his footwork betrayed him, before retiring on the eve of his 38th birthday a decade ago.
Pressure has escalated on Warner after a modest start to the Australian summer, including a golden duck and three against South Africa in Brisbane. The first-ball dismissal came from a brute of a bouncer by Kagiso Rabada aimed at Warner’s neck, which the batsman turned his head away from at the point of contact with the bat, and bunted a catch to short leg.
“The first Test against the West Indies he chased a couple of wide ones. Apart from that, first ball from Rabada, that could have got anyone. Funny enough, he actually played it pretty well. It was right on the money, hand off the bat, he did everything right – but Rabada was better,” Woodhill said.
“I reckon that’s a vindication that he is seeing the ball pretty clearly.
“I feel like there are a couple of ex-players talking about the end, rather than identifying this is a guy that is fitter than any other 36-year-old that has played for his country. And I reckon he goes as long as he wants. He will come good. I reckon there is a score around the corner.”
Warner has attributed his fitness to a demanding program designed by wife Candice Warner, a former ironwoman.
“I can’t think of a player that has played for his country in Australian cricket that is fitter than David at that age. I think he has aged pretty well. I reckon he is due, but I am also saying that confidently as a coach, rather than just watching on,” Woodhill said.
The Proteas boast a blue-chip pace attack, and Warner has often been regarded as a key scalp, meaning he has also been the subject of fine-tuned plans.
“He is still seeing the ball. There is plenty of life in him,” Woodhill said.
“Everyone goes through those phases. We saw that with Joe Root a few years ago. He had a real problem getting to a hundred but then all of a sudden, he gets one, and another five or six flow really quickly.”
Selection chairman George Bailey has backed Warner to rebound, beginning when he celebrates his 100th Test on Boxing Day. Bailey has also pointed to Warner’s turbocharged strike-rate as a reason why he is still needed.
Woodhill said there was no reason why Warner would not play on and finally delivery centuries in India and England next year, milestones he is keen to tick off. Eighteen of Warner’s 24 centuries have been on home soil, with three on the bouncy decks of South Africa. He averages a modest 24.25 in India, and 26.04 in England.
“It’s not even identifying three figures, it’s more just making sure you don’t shoot your [preparation], and you can’t shoot to a hundred there,” Woodhill said.
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