David Warner under fire over 'horrible' scenes at T20 World Cup
David Warner has come under fire during the T20 World Cup after failing to surpass 10 runs again against Ireland as Australia battle to reach the knockout stages.
Australia comfortably defeated a stoic Ireland outfit on Monday night at the Gabba having bowled them out for 137 following a Mitchell Starc blitz.
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Finch finally fired blasting 63 off 44 balls to help lift Australia to to 5-179 after they were sent in to bat by Ireland.
There was some concern over the Australian captain after he suffered a hamstring injury and went off the field.
However, another concern is the form of fellow opener Warner.
The veteran was the ICC player of the tournament at the 2021 T20 World Cup and entered the tournament under little scrutiny.
But, Warner only scored three runs against Ireland and has amassed just 19 runs across three innings.
And his dismissal against Ireland would have left the veteran fuming after a poor shot from a mediocre Barry McCarthy delivery.
His form before the match even prompted Aussie great Shane Watson to suggest Warner was feeling the pressure.
“I’ve sensed that,” Watson said to Adam Gilchrist when asked about whether Warner could be feeling the pressure.
“Even the times when he’s got out in the first two games you can feel that he’s a little bit under pressure because he needs to really take the game on, even if it’s not the right time for him to do it.”
Cricket world questions David Warner spot
Watson wasn't the only one that had recognised Warner's struggles so early in the tournament.
Cricket fans were expecting Warner to fire against Ireland in a must-win game for Australia.
However, they were left pondering whether Warner's struggles will continue in the T20 World Cup.
David Warner Dismissal Point in Innings in #T20WorldCup
2021: 4.3, 15.0, 1.2, 6.0, 10.1, 12.2
2022: 1.1, 4.1, 2.1
LH Warner batting deep is important for RH-heavy Australia. So far in this tournament he's not got out of the Powerplay having done so 50% of the time last year.— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) October 31, 2022
It's actually surprising that no one questions David Warner and his current form. He scored his last international century in January 2020 against India. https://t.co/3Q8NEVTUDx
— Backfoot_Punch (@kookaburra_221) October 31, 2022
What is David Warner doing this early? Australia are a wicket down 8-1 against Ireland at Gabba #AUSvIRE
— Dennis Ethan (@dens_Ethan) October 31, 2022
David Warner is averaging 6.33 runs this World Cup !
Just saying #T20WorldCup #AUSvIRE— Yash Agarwalla (@Yashagarwalla) October 31, 2022
One more disappointing innings from David Warner. Just gone for 3 💔
#AUSvIRE— M A J 💚 (@0xbgwn) October 31, 2022
David warner having horrible tournament with bat. #T20WorldCup
— kirat.13 (@gs251313) October 31, 2022
Warner did appear to take over captaincy duties when Finch went off injured.
While he may have been overlooked for the captaincy role when Finch steps away from the short-format game, Warner did help take charge when the opener went off with the hamstring injury.
Definitely looks like David Warner has assumed captaincy duties out there.
He's chatting with and congratulating bowlers, working with the field for placements.
Could just be a morale thing but nice to see him taking charge. #T20WorldCup— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 31, 2022
Regardless, Finch's injury does cause concern with the opener returning to form just when Australia needed quick runs at the beginning of an innings.
The Aussie captain had left for the dressing room by the end of the seventh over to get treatment for an injury he appeared to aggravate after sustaining it while batting.
"It is a little hammie twinge I think," Finch said while receiving the man of the match award.
"I will get scanned tomorrow. Unfortunately I have a history of them so we will see how it goes. It doesn't feel too bad but generally overnight they can stiffen up.
"I am very hopeful (of playing Afghanistan on Friday)."
with AAP
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