Warners watching and improving

I dont want the spotlight on me. For me a private thank you from David is the best compliment, he says. Woodhill,who spends hours giving throw downs to his ward,says Warner is a superstar in the making. He can achieve whatever he sets his mind on. Hes much maligned by the so called experts who call him a one-dimensional player. On wickets where most world-class players have struggled,Davids gone and scored runs. Hes got a century on the slow wickets at Kotla,hes got runs on the bounciest of pitches in South Africa,and of course,he has scored back home in Australia. If hes given the opportunity that others have been afforded,he can make a mark in 50-over cricket and Tests too, says Woodhill.

Woodhill explains how he prepares Warner for a game. I try and gather information about techniques of different batsman. I analyse how they can be absorbed in Davids system. For example,I have spoken a lot to Virender Sehwag and have pestered him with questions. After that me and David have discussed how Sehwag keeps his head steady and how fluid he is on both sides of the wicket. Warner is a quick learner,and he picks a lot by watching Gambhir and Viru bat, says the coach.

Not an overnight star

Woodhill says that it is a misconception that Warner became an overnight star by just hitting those sixes. About 10,000 hours of hard training has gone in the making of Warner and that includes gym work,hitting countless balls at nets and long talk sessions. The world discovered him some 18 months back but he has always been lurking in the background, he says.

Woodhill also explains the sudden dip in Warners form after his sensational 89 off just 43 balls against South Africa. After that there were too many people giving him advice. Warner needs to understand that theres only a couple of people who can do what he can. Say someone like Adam Gilchrist,hes the closest. What David has done is to try and get back to basics,hes realised that he has a unique technique,and a unique style, he says.