Image: David Warner has signed to play for London Spirit in The Hundred / © Fox Sports
Ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series, former Australian opener David Warner has dismissed England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, calling it ineffective for Australian conditions. Warner, who recently signed a £120,000 deal to play for London Spirit in The Hundred, believes that England’s ultra-attacking style, which worked in home conditions, will struggle against the extra bounce and pace of Australian pitches.
Warner, now 38 years old, has been a key figure in Ashes rivalries, often facing hostility from English crowds. However, he is set for a unique experience at Lord’s, where he might receive a warmer reception as a London Spirit player. Despite this, Warner remains skeptical about England’s ability to replicate their high-risk strategy Down Under. He said:
We’ll just have to wait until I step foot on that park first won’t we? Then we’ll see how the reception is. I’ll have to walk past the Long Room first to get to the changing room! I actually want them to come at Australians. I love that stuff, that’s what gets me going but I want them to support London Spirit. If they want to boo me, boo me, but don’t boo the team. We’re not there playing for the Australian cricket team so they can cheer a little bit for myself but most importantly cheer for the team.
He also backed Australian-born seamer Dan Worrall, who becomes eligible for England this summer, as a strong candidate for selection, citing his ability to generate movement off the pitch. With England’s recent Test performances under scrutiny and Australia holding the Ashes urn, the upcoming series is shaping up to be a crucial battle. Warner’s remarks add further spice to the rivalry, setting the stage for an intense contest when the teams meet later this year.