McGrath says Warner needs experience before touring
January 16th, 2009 - 1:30 pm ICT by ANI Sydney, Jan.16 (ANI): Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that pocket rocket David Warner can eventually replace Matthew Hayden - but needs to be fast-tracked into the New South Wales Sheffield Shield level first.
The pace great endorsed Warner’’s Australia limited overs selection but says the cavalier opener should cut his teeth with New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield before being seriously considered as a candidate for the forthcoming Test tour of South Africa.
“It’’s probably best to give him a chance to find out what first-class cricket is like,” McGrath said of Warner, the first player since the 19th century to represent Australia without playing first-class cricket.
“Give him a handful of games to provide him a bit of experience.”
Comeback opener Phil Jaques, Blues” Phil Hughes and Victoria’’s Chris Rogers have been over-shadowed by Warner’’s left-field run into Australia’’s limited overs set-up. But the trio still head the queue for baggy green honours, says McGrath.
“I guess it depends on what the selectors are after. If they need something now to get us through, obviously Jaquesy has a lot of experience and is coming back from injury. Jaquesy is playing again for NSW so it would be nice to see him come through with a big score, the 124 Test veteran said.
“Or you could start rebuilding. There’’s been a lot spoken about Phil Hughes and a lot of other guys around. It will be interesting to see which way they go,” he added.
McGrath, the player of the 2007 World Cup, is looking forward to Warner, 22, expanding his Twenty20 blitzkrieg to the 50-over front.
“David is a guy who goes out there and plays his game with an uncomplicated approach,” said McGrath, noting Warner’’s 89 off 43 balls on Twenty20 debut against the Proteas last Sunday at the MCG.
“He hits the ball as hard as anyone I have seen, times it, he’’s strong.”
McGrath will be in a position to fine-tune Warner’’s pyrotechnics with the willow when they unite at the Delhi franchise during the Indian Premier League season.
The 38-year-old will be a cracking net mentor in India if Warner is denied a first-class education this summer. (ANI)
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