David Warner is one of the greatest T20 players of all time, but the Australian veteran has warned young cricketers to not put all their eggs in the game’s shortest format if they want to forge memorable careers.
The 36-year-old burst onto the scene with an unforgettable 89 against South Africa in a T20 match back in 2009 but had to bide his time playing for NSW before he made his Test debut three years later.
Warner has since played 101 matches in the baggy green and hopes the next generation of stars continue to make Test cricket a priority rather than chasing the big bucks in T20 leagues around the world.
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“I’ve got this little bit of scaredness (sic) about what’s going to happen in the next 5-10 years with where cricket is actually heading,” Warner said at the Australian Cricket Awards.
“I’d love for guys who are coming through to actually play red-ball cricket because that’s the legacy that you should want to leave behind.
“Playing in the Test arena is amazing and it’s a true test of cricket and how good you measure up to the greats of the game.
“At the end of the day, everything comes with financial rewards. If you aspire to get a central Australian contract, then you’re going to be rewarded.
“I think guys see the short term at the moment with all the leagues around, but the best way to get value for your currency is to actually make a name for yourself.
“There’s only been a small minority of people who have been able to do that and have a long career. You want to aspire to play cricket for Australia, and you’re only going to get there by putting numbers on the board.
“Through Big Bash, if you think that’s going to be your way and you don’t want to play red-ball cricket, then you probably won’t get that value of currency in the other franchise leagues.”
Warner is preparing to fly out to India for next month’s four-Test tour, but he won’t be joined on the plane by Mitchell Starc for the early portion of the trip.
The fast bowler injured the middle finger on his bowling hand during the Boxing Day Test and hasn’t played since, although he remains confident that he’ll return for the second match in India after getting through plenty of work at a training camp in Sydney.
“It’s definitely on track. I’ve still got a week-and-a-half in the splint,” he said.
“I’ve been able to train and get my workloads and everything up, and I’m probably bowling close to full training intensity as I can with the splint on. I’m on track for the second Test. I’ll get a scan in about a week and then get on the plane over there.”
