Warner: England have set ODI benchmark

Cricket365
January 17, 2018

Australia vice-captain David Warner admits that England have set the benchmark on how to go about batting in ODI cricket, saying the tourists are in a great space in limited-overs cricket.

Warner was speaking to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the second ODI of the five-match series that takes place at the Gabba on Friday.

The Aussie opening batsman talked up the visitors after they became the first team to chase a total of more than 300 in an ODI at the MCG thanks to an English record 180 by Jason Roy.

VIDEO: Roy: 100 has been a long time coming

England have adopted an ultra-aggressve batting approach under coach Trevor Bayliss and have posted regular totals above 300 since their shambolic displays at the 2015 World Cup, where they were knocked in the first round.

Warner said of England in Brisbane: “They’ve played a different brand of cricket over the last 12 months – they’ve been more aggressive up top, and with the ball with a bit of pace as well.

“So they’re setting the benchmark at the moment. They’re in a great space now with their one-day team. I think they’ve had it for almost two years now, the same team.

“They’re led fantastically by Eoin Morgan as well – he knows his players; the players know their role in the team.”

Warner said England’s team balance is their major strength as they have aggressive batsmen and bowlers with pace plus two spinners.

Allrounder Ben Stokes makes the team even more action-packed if he returns to their side.

Warner continued: “They’ve obviously got great balance. Then you add Ben Stokes to the mix as well. They’re got incredible depth with their batting, and they’ve got plenty of bowling options.

“Obviously they went into the game the other day with three quicks and two spinners, and if you add Stokes to that line-up, he’s an extra quick.”