Somedays, he would have got it over the fielders. Somedays, the ball would go to the boundary even if he wasn’t trying. There would be edges that would fly for fours, a cut that would pierce the gap, a cover drive that would create one. The mid-wicket boundaries would welcome the ball with both hands while mid-on boundaries would wait to get their kisses from the ball. Somedays, everything would flow like free-flowing water from the mountain. There will be elegance coupled with aggression. Most of the days, Warner is such a delight to watch. No matter where and how he plays, he steals the spotlight and leaves his partner in shadow.
Even today, he stole the spotlight but not for the reason he would have wanted. It was supposed to easy. He was supposed to lead the team from the front. He did try but sometimes, leading from the front also means knowing the current situation, knowing one’s form and knowing what’s good for the team. It doesn’t always have to be like this. You are still a good leader if you are ready to allow those who are in good form to share your burden. When your shoulders are just too sore to hold on to the mountain, it is okay to give it to someone else who is ready to carry it all by themselves and ready to do it with ease.
Warner, no doubts, is a good leader but it shouldn’t have to be this way. When someone like Kane Williamson who is yet to be dismissed in the tournament is ready to lend an arm, it is okay to let him do that because people like Williamson are rare.
When Warner was trying to hit it hard, all Williamson did was to find the gap. Now, Warner is equally capable of playing these innings but the pressure he held was just too much for him today. He was gripping the bat too tight and was swinging at everything. Had Williamson came in, he would have blown off the pressure as if it was just dust on his jersey.
When Warner began to take things to his head, the frustration was visible. In the same situation, Williamson would have smiled away. He would have done something different that would have changed the course of the match or at least would have taken the game closer.
But again, it is just one day. It is okay to have a day like this once in a while. Hopefully, he gets some perspective from this. Of course, Warner will get better. It is just a matter of time. He will be back and will take on bowlers just like he usually do. Hopefully, he will have to get back sooner and shouldn’t leave just too much in the end. The clock is ticking.
Appa, Gavaskar and cricket