Follow UsThe duel between David Warner and Stuart Broad has always been captivating, with the pacer displaying sheer panache to dominate the battle. Broad has impressively dismissed Warner 17 times in Test cricket alone, ensuring the Aussie opener never gets enough time to acclimate to the new-ball challenge in English conditions. This trend has continued during the last two tours - 2019 and the ongoing 2023 Ashes.
However, Warner remains undeterred by the threat posed by the Nottinghamshire pacer and expressed how he has always loved to face him, while acknowledging Broad's greatness, in a recent episode of the Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast.
"I don't really think about the match-up. You think about the ball that's coming at you, how you are going to score. He bowls in a great area all the time," Warner said.
"I always love facing Broady. We have two left-handed opening batters, and he is one of, if not the best, bowler to left-handers in today's game. He is so good at it. Jimmy (Anderson) is there as well. These are guys we have watched and played against for a long time."
Despite facing debates about his form in the past couple of years, Warner silenced his critics with a crucial 43 against India in the World Test Championship final in Southampton. He continued his impressive performance with a well-constructed 66 in the second Ashes Test at Lords. Warner is confident that he is in great touch with the bat, which is evident from his strong performances during net sessions and would have translated to big scores had it not recieved two great balls in Leeds.
"I feel like I am in great touch," Warner said. "I have felt good in the nets, leading in I had good sessions against our quicks at Beckenham (before the series). Lord's was probably the best I've batted in the last two years. Just holding my line.
"We have batted in probably the toughest conditions so far. In Leeds, I got two good balls. You can't do too much about that ... You just have to take it on the chin, can't do anything about it,” the Sydneysider added.