Warner, the school teacher
Plays of the Day from the match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad
Alagappan Muthu
30-Apr-2014
A David Warner missile almost took out umpire Kumar Dharmasena • BCCI
The kiss
If there were any doubts over David Warner shrugging off his bad-boy persona, he ensured they were all laid to rest in the 14th over. A bunt back at the bowler meant he was staring at Kieron Pollard taking aim at his end with the ball. Warner hardly flinched, indeed his stone-faced stare looked rather menacing until he puckered his lips and blew a kiss back. And they say Australians are not polite on the field. Pollard, judging by his frightened flinch, will never forget there are two sides to everyone.
If there were any doubts over David Warner shrugging off his bad-boy persona, he ensured they were all laid to rest in the 14th over. A bunt back at the bowler meant he was staring at Kieron Pollard taking aim at his end with the ball. Warner hardly flinched, indeed his stone-faced stare looked rather menacing until he puckered his lips and blew a kiss back. And they say Australians are not polite on the field. Pollard, judging by his frightened flinch, will never forget there are two sides to everyone.
The late cut
The switch hit is a clear gauge of a batsman's confidence. To employ the shot against Lasith Malinga though is bordering on incredulity. Despite his reputation for wildly deceptive slower balls and pin-point yorkers, Warner flipped around and was greeted by a shortish delivery, which was now outside off. Warner unfurled a deft late cut that could lull anyone into doubting his natural style of batting. Indeed, he struck it so well that the short third man fielder spilled the catch. The next time he attempted it though, the right-handed Warner edged a fuller length ball through to the keeper.
The switch hit is a clear gauge of a batsman's confidence. To employ the shot against Lasith Malinga though is bordering on incredulity. Despite his reputation for wildly deceptive slower balls and pin-point yorkers, Warner flipped around and was greeted by a shortish delivery, which was now outside off. Warner unfurled a deft late cut that could lull anyone into doubting his natural style of batting. Indeed, he struck it so well that the short third man fielder spilled the catch. The next time he attempted it though, the right-handed Warner edged a fuller length ball through to the keeper.
The tumble
There is something primal about Darren Sammy's exaggerated backlift. Corey Anderson might not have shared the same admiration as Sammy pummeled the first ball he faced - and the first ball Anderson bowled - comfortably into the Dubai crowd. In an effort to stay away from Sammy's range, the bowler fired it wide down the off side. So much that Sammy toppled over his feet in trying to reach the ball. Anderson must subscribe to the lesser of two evils philosophy.
There is something primal about Darren Sammy's exaggerated backlift. Corey Anderson might not have shared the same admiration as Sammy pummeled the first ball he faced - and the first ball Anderson bowled - comfortably into the Dubai crowd. In an effort to stay away from Sammy's range, the bowler fired it wide down the off side. So much that Sammy toppled over his feet in trying to reach the ball. Anderson must subscribe to the lesser of two evils philosophy.
The umpire who doesn't forget
T20 cricket has engendered stadiums to give out hard hats to the crowd. Meaty bats, flat tracks and temptingly-sized grounds have perpetrated fans to call for helmets for the umpires. The best advertisement for that came in the 16th over when a high full toss from Pollard was returned in double-quick time. A deflection off the bowler's hand took some pace off the ball but it also redirected it towards a ducking Kumar Dharmasena. The evasive action proved useful as the ball bounced off his hands. He rose, staring shell-shocked at a profusely apologetic Pollard, but that didn't stop Dharmasena from calling it a beamer. Pollard kept Dharmasena on his toes while batting as well as his club down the ground in the 19th over caused the umpire to fling himself into the turf.
T20 cricket has engendered stadiums to give out hard hats to the crowd. Meaty bats, flat tracks and temptingly-sized grounds have perpetrated fans to call for helmets for the umpires. The best advertisement for that came in the 16th over when a high full toss from Pollard was returned in double-quick time. A deflection off the bowler's hand took some pace off the ball but it also redirected it towards a ducking Kumar Dharmasena. The evasive action proved useful as the ball bounced off his hands. He rose, staring shell-shocked at a profusely apologetic Pollard, but that didn't stop Dharmasena from calling it a beamer. Pollard kept Dharmasena on his toes while batting as well as his club down the ground in the 19th over caused the umpire to fling himself into the turf.
The school teacher
Tempers were flaring as Sunrisers salvaged a troublesome start and were taking advantage of the death overs. Warner's innovations added fuel to the mix and Zaheer Khan gave vent to some of his frustration after Warner inside-edged an intended slog. But Warner simply jogged through for the single and tapped his forefinger against the grille of his helmet signaling for the fast bowler to observe silence. Add a tweed jacket and switch his bat with a long ruler, and it might well have been Professor Warner.
Tempers were flaring as Sunrisers salvaged a troublesome start and were taking advantage of the death overs. Warner's innovations added fuel to the mix and Zaheer Khan gave vent to some of his frustration after Warner inside-edged an intended slog. But Warner simply jogged through for the single and tapped his forefinger against the grille of his helmet signaling for the fast bowler to observe silence. Add a tweed jacket and switch his bat with a long ruler, and it might well have been Professor Warner.
The timid innovation
Dale Steyn was hurling 148 kph thunderbolts and no one was keen on getting in line. Anderson, still in the infancy of his international career, found his feet made of lead for three balls before he chose an ill-advised escape. Steyn dug one in just short of a good length and Anderson sunk to his knees looking for the scoop and tamely gloved to the keeper. A man banked on so much by his franchise should have known better than to be cute against one of the fastest bowlers in the world.
Dale Steyn was hurling 148 kph thunderbolts and no one was keen on getting in line. Anderson, still in the infancy of his international career, found his feet made of lead for three balls before he chose an ill-advised escape. Steyn dug one in just short of a good length and Anderson sunk to his knees looking for the scoop and tamely gloved to the keeper. A man banked on so much by his franchise should have known better than to be cute against one of the fastest bowlers in the world.
Alagappan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo