Probably batting better than I ever have in the nets: Warner

David Warner’s form in the longest format hasn’t been the best. Whilst he did get a double-century over South Africa earlier in the year, the southpaw has been highly inconsistent, leading to rumours of Australia replacing him at the top of the order. However, that is unlikely to happen during the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. 

On either end of the 200 Warner hit, his scores read 10, 10, 1 15 and 0, 3, 21, which suggests the form that he finds himself in. But according to the man himself, Warner is batting better in the nets better than he ever has in his Test career. 

"I remember 2013, I was in the nets and copping it left, right and centre in the media about getting bowled by Mitchell Starc and all the other guys and how I wasn't in form in the nets. I found that a bit bizarre because I'm probably one of the worst netters going around,” Warner said ahead of the WTC final. 

“But here, I've actually been superb, in terms of how my feet have been moving. My energy's been moving, I've been up and about. I'm probably batting better than I ever have in the nets,” he added. 

There has been plenty of debates around the WTC final, with some wanting the apex clash to be a three-match encounter, which would be fair to the journey of the two teams. Warner was one amongst them, stating that only a three-game series would play fair to the two sides - India and Australia - for making a steady progress over the last two years. 

"I think it's great. I have been - I won't say critical - but I do think it should be at least a three-game series with Test cricket only. You play two years of good cricket, then you play on a neutral venue against an opposition,” Warner added.

However, the southpaw was content with the game being on foreign land in England, where the Dukes ball will be used in the finale between the two sides. 

"It's a great reward for the two best teams. Two world-class bowling attacks bowling with a Dukes ball on foreign land. It's great and we're excited for that,” Warner reckoned. 

There was an injury scare for the southpaw ahead of the clash, with him being hit on the left-elbow. 

"It was sore, it got me right on the same point from a different angle. It went numb, had to get it strapped. It's fine now, a little bit sore. Luckily it didn't hit me on top.” 

"The last one hit from above and had a hairline fracture. This one was a straight blow on the corner of the elbow which was quite sore. Just one of those things, you get hit, you get hit, can't do anything about it,” Warner had to say. 

The 36-year-old could not hide his excitement over the finale, insisting that he can’t wait to get out there to face a world-class bowling attack in the form of India. 

"We've played some outstanding cricket over the last 18-24 months. We know what India will bring to the table. It's a great neutral venue, two world-class bowling attacks with a Dukes ball and from a batter's perspective, I can't wait to get out there."