David Warner caused mirth in the Australia dug-out by facing up right-handed to R Ashwin in the second ODI at Indore.
The southpaw adopted an unconventional approach to combat the off-spinner’s turn away from his bat, switching his usual batting stance, and prompting laughter in the Australia camp, particularly from captain Pat Cummins.
After a rain delay, Australia were left needing a mountainous 263 runs from 24 overs, with eight wickets in hand. India had made 399-5, with the tourists losing two wickets before the weather interruption after nine overs.
With Ashwin finding turn, the task was made even trickier, with Warner defending and then inside-edging in the 11th over. When the next Ashwin over arrived, the opener opted to try something different, facing up right-handed.
First he dabbed a single into the off-side. Then he swept a four expertly, to the delight and amusement of his teammates. Another single came next ball.
However, Ashwin had the answer in the next over, a carrom ball trapping Warner, still batting right-handed, lbw as he wound up for a big reverse sweep, aiming to hit into the off-side, or what would be the left-hander’s leg-side.
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To make matters more confusing, it transpired that Warner had got an inside-edge into his pads, and so would have been reprieved had he reviewed. His was the second of three wickets to fall to Ashwin in three overs as he turned the game decisively India’s way.
Warner has toyed with being a right-hander before, taking guard as a right-hander in the Bangladesh and Indian Premier Leagues, and unfurled the switch hit for Australia in the past. He also practiced batting both right- and left-handed ahead of Australia’s Test tour of India earlier this year. However, it is believed that this is the first time he has faced up with his opposite hand in international cricket.
He follows Joe Root, who took guard as a left-hander on England’s Test tour of Pakistan last year, as an international batter to switch stances in recent times.
