InMobi

Fresh is best for revitalised Warner

The veteran opener has wasted no time rediscovering his best form at home after he was tormented by Stuart Broad during the Ashes

A lean Ashes series has not shaken David Warner’s confidence with the veteran opener rediscovering his devastating form in Australia’s T20I clean sweep of Sri Lanka.

Warner was not dismissed in the three-match series in his return to international cricket on home soil, posting scores of 100, 60 and 57 against the hapless tourists.

The 33-year-old was named player of the match in all three fixtures - it was no surprise he took out player-of-the-series honours as well.

Warner, who also scored 125 against Queensland in the Marsh Sheffield Shield last month, stressed the importance of staying fresh amid a packed schedule.

Warner's unbeaten fifty completes dominant series

"For me, it's about keeping it simple and making sure I'm staying mentally fresh ... that's the most important thing,” Warner said.

“We’ve got a lot of cricket. I had a good break, that year off, and then coming back you forget how intense (international cricket is) and how much we play.

“It’s about monitoring yourself and making sure you’re speaking up with the coaches and staff about how you’re feeling.

“They’re the honest conversations you have to have as a player and we’ve got to make sure we’re on top of our game coming into the Test series.”

A series whitewash as Warner leads the way, again

Australia’s three-game T20I series against Pakistan – which spans six days – starts on Sunday before the two teams commence a two-Test series on November 21.

Australia will then lock horns with trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in a three-Test series.

Warner made his return to elite cricket in Australia’s World Cup campaign following a one-year ban for his part in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

While he caused a myriad of headaches for bowlers – he scored 647 in 10 games at an average of 71.89 in the 50-over tournament – the Ashes series was a different story.

England paceman Stuart Broad dismissed Warner a remarkable seven times in the five-Test series.

Seven deadly sins: Warner falls to Broad again

The left-hander contributed just 95 runs at 9.5, leading to speculation his place in the Test team was on shaky ground.

But Warner, who has 21 Test centuries and averages 45.47, has remained upbeat.

“I’ve always been confident,” he said. “I was out of runs.

“For me, it’s about going out there and trying to apply myself 100 per cent, like I do every time. I’ve been hitting the ball as well as ever.

“I haven’t changed any routines.

No place like home! Aussie stars on their home ground

“I still have the same maintaining that rage to go out there and back myself and play to the best of my ability.

"I'm a confident person, I don't go out there thinking I'm going to get out ... I just play the same way.

"It helps when you've got momentum and it helps when you've got guys at the other end bat the same way and you can get pressure taken off you."

Australia’s series against Pakistan starts at the SCG on Sunday before matches in Canberra and Perth.

Gillette T20 INTLs v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott

Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha

First T20: Australia won by 134 runs

Second T20: Australia won by nine wickets

November 1: Australia won by seven wickets

Gillette T20 INTLs v Pakistan

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

November 3: First T20I, SCG, 2.30pm (Fox & Kayo)

November 5: Second T20I, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

November 8: Third T20I, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)