He's Coming Here After Missing The Birth Of His Child To Be A Net Bowler: David Warner Delighted With T Natarajan's Inclusion In Test Squad

While expressing delight over his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate T Natarajan’s Test call-up, Australia star David Warner has said he is “not sure” if the Tamil Nadu seamer can consistently hit one length, over after over, in the traditional format. T Natarajan was recently added to the Test squad as a replacement for injured Umesh Yadav for the remainder of the ongoing series.

The addition to the Tests is yet another milestone for the pacer on the ongoing tour. Things are just getting better and better for T Natarajan ever since he impressed in this year’s IPL. He was initially picked as a net bowler for the Australia tour but was subsequently added to the T20I and ODI squads after injury to other players.

He then went on to make his debut in both the formats and could be in line to make his Test debut in the coming days too. And David Warner is delighted over his IPL teammate’s inclusion in the Test side. The southpaw said that while the pacer has the line and length to do well, he was unsure over whether he would be able to do it for a longer period of time in Tests.

“Good question but I am not too sure. You guys would be knowing his (Natarajan) Ranji Trophy stats and how he delivers day in and day out.

“I know he has line and lengths to do that, but obviously, back to back overs in a Test match? I am not a hundred percent sure,” David Warner said during a virtual news conference on Saturday.

At the same time, David Warner added that just like Mohammed Siraj, who has shown his wares in red ball cricket at the first-class level, Natarajan would be able to do the same. Siraj made his debut in the second Test and impressed straightaway. The right-arm pacer picked up five wickets and played a crucial role in India’s win.

“I know a fair bit about Siraj and how well he has gone in Ranji Trophy, him backing up with repeated amount of overs. Given how his (Siraj’s debut) debut went, I am hopeful, Nattu will be able to do the same if he is included in that Test squad,” David Warner said.

The Australia superstar was all praise for the 29-year-old, who missed the birth of his first child as he was occupied with IPL and national team engagements.

“I think it’s a great reward for Nattu. I think given that he was coming over here after missing the birth of his child to be a net bowler and then being injected into the actual squad is a great achievement for him and congratulations to him.

“He is a very, very good bowler and I got to see that and captain him for Sunrisers Hyderabad. I wish him all the best and if he does get that opportunity, we know he will be comfortable and will know what he has to do,” said David Warner.

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