Swashbuckling Australian left-hander David Warner has said he loved every minute of captaining the national side in the One-Day International against Sri Lanka which was held on Sunday.The 29-year-old also said that one of the challenges he faced was to keep up the over rate as there are so many fast bowlers in the side. However, he juggled his bowlers well and restricted the hosts to 226. Australia then chased it down with two wickets and 24 balls to spare.
"I loved every minute of it (the captaincy)," Warner was quoted by Espncricinfo. "I feel that the guys have taken it on board very well. You always have the respect from your peers, which is always fantastic. And I felt that the guys did everything I asked of them in the last game, and everything I've asked of them at training. They've done everything I've asked for so far, and I couldn't be any more pleased."
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Australia were dealt a heavy blow as left-handed batsman Shaun Marsh was ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series. But that provides Usman Khawaja the opportunity to come into the team on Wednesday where Australia will look to close the five-game series where they are presently leading 2-1.
It will also be a platform for Khawaja to prove himself as he was dropped from the final Test of the Sri Lanka series some days back, following scores of 26, 18, 11 and 0 in the first two matches."It was a difficult time for everyone, not just Usman only," Warner said. "We all have to have a bit of a reality check sometimes in regards to the way we play our game. It's such a tough environment to be over here. Unfortunately, he did get dropped from the Test series. He took that very well. He's been training his backside off in the nets.”
"He's been doing everything he can to put his hand up for selection. He accepts that he didn't have the runs on the board and he's been doing everything he can to get back in the team. I'm really looking forward to seeing him come out and play the way he does. He scored a lovely 90 in the Caribbean and he played fantastic there, I'm hoping he can come out here and do the same thing tomorrow."
If Khawaja is selected he will bat at No.3 spot
If Khawaja gets a game in, he will fill up the No.3 spot which captain Steve Smith had been filling for the first two ODIs. But then Smith flew back home and the spot went to Marsh. The opening two slots have had Aaron Finch and Warner but then the latter has struggled with scores of only 8, 1 and 10 in the first three games.
"If you can find the answer, I'll take it," Warner said when questioned as to how he can turn things around."That's just what happens with cricket. Sometimes you're in form, sometimes you're not. I feel like I'm hitting the ball well. I've had some good dismissals, I've had a couple of poor shots here and there.
"But that's the challenge you face over here in these conditions. You always have to back your game plan and back your skills. Every time I've gone out there, I've done that. Unfortunately I haven't got the runs on the board that are necessary. I'll be aiming to come out here and play my role as I normally do, try and have that intent from ball one."The fourth game will be played at same Dambulla strip where Sunday’s game was held meaning it will be in all probability be a turner again.
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