Amidst the ongoing drama that ensued due to David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket, former Australian cricketer Gregg Chappell has come to defend the destructive southpaw. Chappell has claimed that David Warner has been a fantastic servant to the Australia Cricket Team and his dominance as an opener in modern era only falls short behind India’s Virendra Sehwag.
David Warner is set to play his last Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the New Year’s Test, i.e PAK vs AUS 3rd Test. Australia has taken a 2-0 lead and a win in the PAK vs AUS Sydney Test will be the perfect send off for David Warner.
“Warner’s role in the success of Australian cricket during his time cannot be underestimated. In the modern era, only Virender Sehwag has been more damaging than Warner as an opener. It is rare to have someone at the top of the order who intimidates even the fastest opposition bowlers,” wrote Gregg Chappell in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“David has always been prepared to play a lot of shots, but he was not reckless. Most of his boundaries have come from classic strokes, though he has the ability to play the unconventional one when needed. Very few can switch-hit with the aplomb of Warner. If needed, he could bat right-handed and make a pretty good fist of it. Pound for pound, no one hits the ball harder than David, but he has soft hands when required,” Chappell added.
Despite having a gala carrer, David Warner found himself involved in the Sandpaper Scandal in 2017. Back then he was the vice captain to Steve Smith. Along with David Brancroft, the trio were suspended and stripped off their captaincy roles.
“David will never live down the “Sandpaper Gate” incident. That scar on Australian cricket needs to be owned by a lot more people than Warner and Bancroft,” concluded Chappell.
