David Warner smashes quick-fire ton ahead of IPL 2019
David Warner wasn't included in Australia's ODI squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan. He was eligible to play the last two ODIs. Warner, whose 12-month ban is set to come to an end on March 29, will head straight to the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead. And he has made a statement of what can be expected with a special knock. Here's more.
Warner, who was earlier seen in the Bangladesh Premier League, had to rush home for a minor elbow surgery. In his first game post the surgery, the southpaw smashed a quick-fire century in club cricket. The opener hit seven sixes and four fours in his 77-ball onslaught for Randwick-Petersham in a one-day game against Penrith. Warner looked on song and played some scorching shots.
Another @PremCricketNSW 💯 for David Warner!
— CricX 🏏🌎 (@cricketagency) March 9, 2019
Should @CricketAus pick him for the #Ashes? 🤔🤔pic.twitter.com/5pE7Hdk8Sk
It was Warner's third century in 14 games for Randwick-Petersham this season. Randwick-Petersham went on to lose the match though. Meanwhile, the club's premier cricket campaign is also completed, after having missed the finals. Warner had a productive time in grade cricket and finished with 909 runs at 75.75. It was across two-day, one-day and T20 formats for the club.
This innings (110) will serve immense confidence to Warner, who will be eligible to play in the IPL post his ban. The IPL 2019 starts from March 23 onwards and Warner will be aiming to do solid build-up for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Preparations will be key for Warner, who would want to justify his ICC World Cup 2019 selection on basis of some sound knocks.
Warner will hand a lot of boost for IPL 2018 finalists SRH. He was missed last season and one expects him to approach IPL 12 with a lot of positive vibes. With the World Cup in mind, expect Warner to go all guns blazing.
Earlier, there were talks that Cricket Australia could rush Warner and Steve Smith back to the squad against Pakistan. But they selected the same 15-man squad that is currently involved in the ODI series against India. Selector Trevor Hohns had stated that it would be best for both Warner and Smith to be in contention for the World Cup by playing in IPL 12.
