- Ian Healy has called on David Warner to ignore his mounting critics
- Warner, 37, knows he has a lot of detractors after ‘Sandpapergate’
- Experienced batsman has plundered two centuries in the ODI World Cup
- Ready to retire as an international cricketer with Australia in January
Cricket great Ian Healy has urged David Warner to ignore the haters and continue showing his brilliance for Australia.
Warner, 37, has long been a polarizing figure but there is no doubt that when the dynamic batsman shoots he is world class.
The left-handed opener recently told SEN Radio that he thrives by ‘making everyone look stupid’ – a reference to his reckless form at the ODI World Cup, where Warner has plundered 413 runs at an imposing average of 68.83, including centuries against Pakistan and the Netherlands.
In June, Warner confirmed he wants to withdraw from the Test arena at the SCG in January when Australia take on Pakistan.
That goal was threatened during a disappointing Ashes series, but his scintillating performances on the subcontinent are likely to keep him in the Aussie XI.
Australian cricket great Ian Healy has urged David Warner to ignore the haters and end his career in emphatic style
It comes after Warner recently told SEN Radio he enjoys ‘making everyone look stupid’
And whether he likes it or not, there will always be a stain on Warner’s reputation after ‘Sandpapergate’ in Cape Town in 2018.
Healy wants Warner to channel his attention, enjoy his time at the crease and not be distracted by his critics.
“Forget it, Davey… would be my message,” Healy said.
“I know the temptation Davey fell into this week and succumbed to when he said the words, ‘I make everyone look stupid.’
“He likes to make people eat their words and look stupid, it seems. That’s disappointing.
‘I hope he finishes strong, wins this World Cup on his bat if possible, enjoys the summer all over the country and ends happily.’
Warner – if selected – wants to play his final Test in front of family and friends at the SCG in early January (pictured, with wife Candice Warner)
Warner will again be a key figure for the Aussies at the top of the table when they take on England in Ahmedabad on Saturday evening.
England star Joe Root has already lit the fuse, declaring: ‘man for man, I’d take this team over the Australians any day.’
It was a bizarre comment considering the Poms are at the bottom of the ladder in the ODI World Cup, behind minnows like the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
The Aussies, on the other hand, started the tournament slowly, losing to India and South Africa, but have since reached the semi-finals after four straight wins.
The game starts at 7:30 PM AEDT.