New cricket bat rules won't stop Warner

Australian opener David Warner says the ICC limiting bat sizes won't curtail his ability to hit sixes.

cricket

David Warner says ICC changes to regulations governing bat sizes won't stop his explosive play. (AAP)

David Warner doesn't believe new ICC rules governing the size of cricket bats will stop his destructive power.

Under the change, bats can be no thicker than 40mm while the depth - the length from the face to the point of the blade - is limited to 67mm.

The new rule won't affect the remainder of Australia's tour of India but Warner said he has already switched his bat to conform with the new regulations.

"I think everyone's been misled," Warner said.

"We were hitting sixes with the bats five-six years ago and still hitting sixes today."

"It's not going to make a difference at all."

Warner has previously said flat pitches rather than big bats were behind the unprecedented flow of runs in the game.

During cricket's batting evolution, Warner has flourished.

Since January last year that's extended to one-day international cricket, a format in which he has racked up nine centuries.

But on the eve of his 100th ODI, which will be against India in Bangalore on Thursday, Warner admits his lack of understanding of the format led to him losing his place in the team.

The now vice-captain missed Australia's 2013 ODI tour of India after being dropped earlier that year.

He says playing Test cricket taught him to curtail his aggression in one-dayers and set a platform for the rest of the team.

"I didn't really think about that when I first came into the set-up," Warner said.

"We had Pup (Michael Clarke), (Steve) Smithy, Mike Hussey. These guys that were such good finishers.

"I just felt my role was to go out there and blast it for 15-20 overs. You don't realise that you're there to bat 50."

After bursting on to the scene in an explosive T20 international in Melbourne eight years ago, Warner didn't make the transition to ODIs as smoothly as expected.

But he is in the midst of the most prolific period of his 50-over career which has lifted his average to 44 with 13 tons and 16 fifties.

"The last 18 months I've had such a consistent patch because I've actually learnt to adapt that mentality while I'm out there," Warner said.

"If I get myself in to try and be there towards the 35-40 over mark and go on with it."


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Source: AAP


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New cricket bat rules won't stop Warner | SBS News