Image Credit- AP
Following a slow start to the tournament, David Warner
has reached the heights he had hoped for, scoring two century in a row to
surpass ODI great Ricky Ponting and tie Sachin Tendulkar for the most World Cup
hundreds. Australia secured a spot in the top four as the race to the
semi-finals continued, thanks to his 104 and Glenn Maxwell’s 44-ball 106, which
helped them defeat Netherlands by 309 runs.
“For me it’s about going over there and doing my
best,” Warner told Star Sports. “It so happens to be in live-play and
in tournament-play and that’s what I get up for. We live for those World Cups.
They’re every four years and you’ve got to really, really shine on this stage
and try and emulate what I do in those bilateral series out here and, yeah, to
be in the same category and class with those guys is special.
“They’re greats of the game. For us, we grew up
watching those guys. In this moment, we’re just staying present. In probably 20
years’ time or 30 years’ time, I might sit down and enjoy that.”
With a score of 41 runs against India in the opening
game, Warner was one of the few Australian players to stand out, but his
dismissal brought on a collapse. He scored 13 against South Africa and 11
against Sri Lanka after that innings, but he really got going against Pakistan
with 163, earning his sixth World Cup century today.
Warner said the improvement in his form came from
“going back to basics” while he was speaking with his former teammate
Shane Watson, who he works with at Delhi Capitals during the IPL.
“We spoke about it during the IPL, Watto – it’s
about timing and rhythm and on these wickets you have to be able to allow
yourself time to do that,” Warner said. “I think the first game
against India in Chennai, always going to be challenging, always is a
challenging surface. You need to get yourself in. And I didn’t feel like I was
in great rhythm, and then on to Lucknow [against South Africa] which was a
great wicket but the timing wasn’t there and the ball was sort of swinging, so
for me it was about going back to basics and being nice and still. Still have
my prelim[inary trigger movements] but I can stay still if I wanted to and just
switching gears. I know I’ve got the ability to play on these wickets and in
these conditions. It’s just about backing yourself and having control and
batting those 50 overs.”