David Warner Opens Up On Tim Paine's Declaration

Australia opening batsman David Warner was the talk of the town for his unbeaten 335 in the second Test against Pakistan. In the process, he edged past Don Bradman’s tally of 334 to become the highest-scoring Australian batsman in Tests. The dashing opener had the golden opportunity to go past 400 and break legendary Brian Lara’s record of the highest individual score in the red-ball format.

Unfortunately, that was never the case as Australia captain Tim Paine declared the innings with a colossal total of 598/3. Fans from every nook and corner of the cricket fraternity launched a scathing attack on Tim Paine for making a wrong judgement in his declaration. However, David Warner’s statement at the press conference eased pressure on Tim Paine.

David Warner reveals why Tim Paine  declared innings before his 400

While addressing the reporters at the end of day’s play, David Warner revealed the exact reason behind the decision to declare the innings at that particular point of time. Australia mounted pressure on Pakistan and as a result, they were successful in picking up 6 wickets.

Also Read: Twitter Slam Tim Paine For Declaration With David Warner Batting On 335*

“We looked at the weather that’s around tomorrow, we wanted to give ourselves a lot of time. We’ve managed to get six wickets down. If there is a bit of rain about tomorrow, the bowlers get a good rest, they only have to come out and try to get 14 wickets in the last two days,” Warner was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

According to the weather forecast in Adelaide Oval, it is predicted that it would rain for the next 3 days for some duration. It appears that the weather had prompted Paine’s decision. David Warner stated that he was constantly keeping an eye on when the team would be making the declaration.

“The first person I asked was [Steven] Smithy when I was out there batting. I said how many overs do you reckon we’ll have at them tonight, and it was literally that perfect amount. Then I came in, I think at that [tea] break, and I said ‘when are we declaring’, and they said ‘5.40 pm’ and I said ‘ok’.

I kept on asking when we were out there, we got to five, then ten past five, and I was making sure that was still the message and it was. Until I think that last over before, it just ticked over [5.40pm] and Painey wanted me to try and get past that 334 mark,” he said.

Read More: David Warner Names The Player Who Can Break Brian Lara’s Record Of Highest Test Score

When asked whether he was also keeping a track on the records, Warner said: “100% I was aware of the history. You grow up knowing what those milestones are. Forever you talk about Donald Bradman. They’re things that you look at the history books and say, ‘how did they get there – that’s a long time in the middle’.”

Pakistan are in big trouble at the moment as they are reeling at 96/6 (35 overs) at the end of day 2. The main man Babar Azam is still at the crease batting on 43* alongside Yasir Shah who is batting on 4*.