Save big shots for smaller grounds in India, says David Warner
Australian batsman David Warner wants his teammates to save big shots for the World Twenty20 in India and instead look for more ones and twos in the ongoing series.
India defeated the hosts by 37 runs in Adelaide on Tuesday in the first of the three T20I cricket matches.
"It was four for 50 off eight, that's always something we need to improve on -- it's something we've always spoken about," Warner was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.com on Wednesday.
"During those middle overs, I think a lot of us get carried away with trying to play a lot of big shots and not actually trying to take advantage of the big fields in Australia," the left-handed opener added.
"I think in India you get away with trying to hit boundaries because it's a bit smaller, if you just hit either side of the fielders around the bat you can get a lot more value for your shots. Basically here our batting wasn't there last night and that's trying to get twos on the big fields."
Warner said losing four wickets for fifty runs to spin was not ideal and that from the next time they have to concentrate more on pinching quick singles.
"We have to be mindful of that and careful. Losing four for 50 in eight overs to spin is not ideal, and something we have to work on is pinching those twos and hitting the ball down the ground. You can go for the odd big shot, generally that comes in the first two balls of the over, then you've got to see if you can score six or seven an over after that," he said.
Some of the Australian players are wired up to have a conversation with Channel Nine commentators during T20Is at home. Steve Smith looked distracted at times during the last game for it and was out to a soft dismissal which also earned him a chirpy send off from Virat Kohli.
But Warner said players need to be prepared to play the game and entertain as well.
"We've been doing that for the last couple of years. Obviously it's not in the interests of Channel Nine to disturb us while we're out there and for us to be dismissed. It's upon us to be responsible and professional to understand that's what's happened when you're out there," he said.
"It's about entertainment, that's why we've seen it with the Big Bash, we've done it plenty of times on Channel Nine, it gives a great insight for people at home to understand how we're dealing with situations when we're out there. I've done it and I feel no added pressure, it's great I can actually give people at home an indication of what we're trying to achieve."