David Warner contemplating middle-order role for Thunder as he revealed tactical discussions are taking place.
David Warner open to taking on middle-order role for Thunder.
In order to give the Sydney Thunder lineup an alternative, David Warner has disclosed that he may occasionally bat down the order in the BBL.
Warner has opened 382 out of 423 T20 innings at every level for nearly his whole career. Warner responded “that’s if I open” when asked about hitting with inexperienced Thunder opener Sam Konstas.
“That’s more for a match-up and strategic point of view,” Warner said. “We don’t have that left-hander in the middle [order] that we’ve been looking for. It’s a conversation we’re having at the moment.”
Warner also mentioned that the Thunder’s other left-handers are Blake Nikitaras and Nic Maddinson, and Matt Gilkes would be a possibility. Sherfane Rutherford, a West Indian, played for them last season, however he only managed to score 74 runs in six innings.
Warner also urged Konstas to have courage and support himself as he attempts to re-enter the Australian squad.
Konstas’s chances of winning his first Ashes series were dashed at the beginning of the domestic season by a string of low scores. However, last week he got a 50 and a century for Sheffield Shield.
“The best form of currency is runs and he’s doing that at the moment. When you do get thrown in the limelight, it can be a deer in the headlights,” Warner said. “You can get overwhelmed and sucked into the hype around everything. But he has great support around him that will keep him level-headed.”
Warner also said the best practice for Konstas would be in games, adding about his shot selection: “You just have to be brave.”
Thunder aim to go one better after losing last season’s final to Hobart.
“The way we played, we didn’t expect to make the final. We were very scrappy, we won a lot of close games,” Warner said. “We didn’t play a complete game … there [which] was a bit of a surprise – but it wasn’t a surprise in terms of the way we’re passionate about our team.”