New Delhi, Dec 13: The familiarity with each other following IPL stints will help Indian and Australian players understand one another better but it will not take any of the competitiveness away when the two sides clash in a Test series later this month, feels Aussie opener David Warner.
“That some of us have played in DLF Indian Premier League over the last four years will surely help the players understand one another better but I don't think that this familiarity will take the edge away when we are on the field,” Warner, who represents Delhi Daredevils in IPL, said.
“Lots of things were going on when India toured Australia the last time in 2007-08 but that is what makes cricket. Everyone likes to play very seriously and that alone should ensure that none changes the attitude on the field,” he added.
The 25-year-old, who made his battling maiden Test century and was named man-of-the-match against New Zealand at Hobart yesterday, said he was disappointed that his knock could not help Australia win the match.
“It was nice to get to the milestone of a Test hundred but it was disappointing not to be able to help Australia over the line,” said Warner after New Zealand registered seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test.
Even as wickets kept falling at the other end, Warner finished on unbeaten 123 off 170 balls with 14 boundaries.
Warner remembered the encouragement he received from his Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag and other teammates.
“Playing for Delhi Daredevils has obviously helped me as I worked with a set of world class players. I will not forget when I joined the Daredevils, Sehwag told me that I would be a better Test cricketer than a T20 player when I had not even played first-class cricket. When I asked him how he could predict that, Sehwag shared his theory of how everyone would be in the slips and I could play my shots freely,” revealed Warner.
