When David Warner first burst onto the scene as a quintessential T20 bash merchant, even his own ego might never have predicted a 100-Test career. Initially written off as a one-dimensional batsman who didn’t have the technique and patience to prosper in the longer format, he is the poster-child for the successful transition from T20 to Test cricket when conventional wisdom suggested the reverse was more likely.  Since then, we have seen the likes of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant who have blazed similar trails—any bets on them being able to get to even 50 Tests?  Suryakumar Yadav is another to keep an eye on. 

Unmatched versatility

Early in Warner’s career, he showed his versatility on a spicy Hobart pitch when he was the only batsman to defy NZ.  That was the seminal moment of his Test career, the realisation that he had the temperament to “bat ugly” when the occasion demanded.  Ironically, as his career wanes, it might be this ghost he needs to re-awaken if he is to save himself much past this season.  As his reflexes slow, does he have it in him to rein in his attacking instincts and play the waiting game?