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Warner wallops 69 to defeat Smith in IPL

3 minute read

David Warner has top-scored with 69 to help Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Steve Smith's Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in the Indian Premier League.

DAVID WARNER of Australia bats during the Fourth Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes series at MCG in Australia.
DAVID WARNER of Australia bats during the Fourth Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes series at MCG in Australia. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

David Warner has continued his sizzling start to the Indian Premier League, bludgeoning 69 from 37 balls to outgun Steve Smith and help Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Rajasthan Royals.

Warner's form is timely as he attempts to win a place in Australia's squad for the World Cup in two months in England.

The sacked vice-captain, painted as the architect of the ball-tampering ploy in Cape Town by Cricket Australia (CA), was in devastating touch as he top-scored for Sunrisers with a half-century off 26 deliveries.

"We got off to a good start and kept (going) on with that adrenaline," Warner said. "As a batsman, when your adrenaline is running, you are in a mood."

Hours after Australia had compiled 7-277 in their fourth ODI against Pakistan, Warner unleashed in the sort of fashion that suggested his 12-month suspension had not affected his batting.

The innings, likely to have impressed Australian coach Justin Langer, came after Warner scored 85 in Hyderabad's IPL opener.

"It's great to see Davey doing well," Glenn Maxwell said in Dubai.

"He's on fire over there and it's good to see, looking forward to them (Warner and Smith) joining up with us.

"They're certainly going to get plenty of cricket over there in the IPL."

Warner and Smith, both playing for the first time since their year-long international suspensions ended, squared off on Friday in Hyderabad.

Smith didn't get to bat as the Royals posted 2-198 via a Sanju Samson century.

Hyderabad made light work of the target, Warner bullying the Royals' attack as the hosts reached 5-201 in 19 overs.

The opener hammered nine fours, including three in Stokes' first over, and two sixes.

The English allrounder later dismissed Warner off a mistimed pull shot.

"When a player like David Warner bats like that, there's very less margin as a bowler," Rajasthan captain Ajinkya Rahane said.

"I don't think the bowlers did anything wrong ... they didn't lose any momentum throughout when they were batting."

Langer, selectors and CA chief executive Kevin Roberts had considered over summer whether Warner and Smith should return for the final two Pakistan ODIs.

The disgraced duo's elbow injuries in January ensured it wouldn't happen.

Smith and Warner did mingle with the ODI squad during a one-day stopover in Dubai en route to India.

"It was good to get them in and for the boys to just go to the bar and have a beer with them the night before, to sort of break the ice," captain Aaron Finch said.

"They were probably as nervous as anyone."

Warner was Australia's second-highest run scorer behind former captain Smith during the 2015 title victory on home soil.

Finch said on Thursday selectors would find it hard to fit everyone into the 15-man squad, as his one-day side took a 4-0 lead against Pakistan in the UAE after their ODI series win in India.

Reuters

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