Warner ‘grateful’ to rest ahead of India tour

Opening batsman is excused from upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand

SYDNEY: Australia’s player of the year David Warner has welcomed a rest before touring India next month saying it’s tough preparing for sub-continental conditions.

Warner, who won back-to-back Allan Border medals on Monday night, has been excused from the three ODI games in New Zealand starting next week after a hectic southern summer.

Back to back #ABMedal Winner @davidwarner31! Congrats Dave such an amazing achievement #WANTITMORE pic.twitter.com/0mGisoOIqO

— ASICS Australia (@ASICSaustralia) January 23, 2017

“We’re running ragged in the outfield, we’re giving everything we can, and I’ve run as hard as I can for every ball,” the 30-year-old told reporters after the medal ceremony. “So that does take its toll.”

Warner said he would fly out on February 5, so he has got a well-deserved break. “I’m grateful that Cricket Australia has allowed me to get over some little niggles and have a little bit of rest at home to get me ready for India,” he said.



Australia has won Test and ODI series against Pakistan after losses to South Africa and a tough tour of Sri Lanka and Warner admitted to feeling the strain.

“I felt probably the first two especially one-dayers this series with Pakistan, I’ve felt quite, not lazy, but my feet weren’t moving,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t move at all, but they were just quite fatigued.”

Australia face Pakistan in Adelaide in their final one-dayer on Thursday having already wrapped up the series 3-1.

With a need to get on the front foot batting in India, Warner said he could look forward to training after the break.



“We are going to be working our backsides off physically and mentally as well before we even think about playing the game of cricket [in India],” said the vice-captain.

“That’s what gets you mentally tough and ready for those conditions. It’s not the wicket, it’s not the opposition, it’s the conditions.

“You’ve got the heat. Players that have been in India know how hard it is just to overcome that let alone the cricket itself. You’ve got to acclimatise,” he added.



Warner smashed consecutive hundreds against Pakistan in Melbourne and Sydney where he also blasted the fastest Australian Test half-century off just 23 balls.

Top-ranked India play the first Test against Australia at Pune from February 23.