BRIDGETOWN: Seasoned Australian opener David Warner believes his team can use the pace of England’s express bowlers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer when the traditional rivals face off in the T20 World Cup here on Saturday.

England’s bowling line-up which comprises among others speed merchants Archer and Wood. On the other hand, Australia’s batting line-up is equally impressive and it promises to be a thrilling Group B clash at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Warner said that T20 is a different format adding that varying bounce could be a surprise.

“You just have to use their pace. [In] Test cricket they set different fields, different balls. In T20s, you only have to get half an edge on it and it can go. So there’s a fair difference. I’ve played a lot of cricket over here. You are expecting it to be low rather than bounce unless it is really short,” Warner said while talking to reporters.

“The variation in bounce is what surprises you. Because when they pitch the ball that eight-metre [from the stumps] length, your instinct is to pull it. But you have to go back to targeting straight, backing yourself, and if it does bounce, so be it.”

Warner, who was criticised a lot for his poor performances in the IPL, said that he does not care about criticism.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2024