Australia's two-match series of Twenty20 matches against India next month could be the start of David Warner's ascent to the Test captaincy.
The 25-year-old has blasted two centuries in his five-Test career including his breathtaking 180 off 159 deliveries in last week's third Test against India in Perth.
While the stocky opener is one of Twenty20's shining lights and has also emerged as a Test player of note, Australia's current 20-over skipper Cameron White may struggle to hold his place in the side for the games at Sydney's Olympic park on February 1 and at the MCG two days later.
White has a top score of 5 not out from six innings for the Melbourne Stars in this summer's Big Bash League.
Warner, in between Test commitments, smashed an unbeaten 102 for the Sydney Thunder in their clash with the Melbourne Stars at the MCG as the powerful left-hander showcased his big-hitting talents.
National coach Mickey Arthur is enormously impressed with Thunder captain Warner's leadership skills and thirst for hard work on the training track.
"Davey has leadership potential. He has the ability to lead any Australian team in any form of the game at some stage," Arthur said after Australia's victory in Perth on Sunday.
"Whether that's in the next couple of weeks or whether that's in a year or five years time I'm not sure.
"He has a very good cricket brain. He leads a lot by example.
"He trains the house down.
"The perceptions that everybody had of David Warner and the reality of David Warner the person are poles apart."
Warner, the working-class Sydney boy from a public-housing estate, was banned for one month from Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in 2007.
The then 20-year-old had tested the patience of his employers with "repeated inappropriate treatment" of facilities which apparently included food fights with Mark Cosgrove and Aaron Finch, who were also suspended.
Arthur said he takes no credit for Warner's stunning innings in Perth, despite some intensive work in the nets on the opener's technique with batting coach Justin Langer.
"He's the guy who actually asked for more and more (work)," Arthur said.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia First posted January 16, 2012 17:45:37
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