Incoming Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has backed in teammate David Warner to make a big statement in the first Ashes Test.
Warner performed poorly in Australia’s last series against England, attaining a measly batting average of 9.50 in five Tests in the motherland in 2019.
However, Cummins cited different conditions and a tough environment for opening batters in England, saying Warner’s previous performance is not a good indication of what’s to come.
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“I don’t look at his series record over in England as a great look into this summer,” he said of his veteran teammate.
“So, I wouldn’t look too far into that, he came back a couple of months later and had his best summer yet really for Australia against New Zealand and Pakistan.
“I think the way he really took it to the attack, batted long times, that was a huge reason we won all those Tests that summer, so I’d love to see him have a similar impact this summer.”
Cummins also touched on Warner’s blazing form during Australia’s victorious T20’s World Cup last month, where he was player of the series.
“I know bowling to him in the nets he’s one of those batters that I feel like if you get it just wrong, he can really make you pay and that’s a daunting prospect for any bowler when he’s on,” he said.
“So (he’s a) huge player for us, he’s coming off a break – World Cup – he looks in great touch, yeah he’s in a really good place.”
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