NEW ZEALAND TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, 2019-20

Warner warns New Zealand of short-ball ploy backfiring

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

"For us it's just another game and if Wags (Neil Wagner) does what he does normally, then we just have to play it accordingly." © AFP

New Zealand may have lost the first Test emphatically but their success with the short-ball tactic under lights at Perth has given an indication of the blueprint that the visitors could adopt for the rest of the series. However, Australian opener David Warner believes they would be wasting whatever little assistance that could be on offer at MCG if they continue to stick to the short-ball ploy.

"If they're talking about it being a green wicket and they bowl short, then you are probably wasting it aren't you?" Warner said on Sunday (December 22), adding that Australian batsmen would be ready for what seems like a likely plan by Neil Wagner & Co. anyway.

"For us it's just another game and if Wags (Kiwi paceman Neil Wagner) does what he does normally, then we just have to play it accordingly."

Even as Wagner and Southee don't charge in with the pace that makes batsmen uncomfortable but it tempts them to play the pull shot anyway, opening up wicket-taking opportunities. Most of the batsmen fell to that ploy in the first Test, including Steven Smith, who had a rare Test in which he failed to score big in both the innings.

"For us it's usually ducking a ball at 150km/h. It is a little bit awkward with the height he (Wagner) comes from," he added. "It's at a pace where you think you genuinely can play at it, then you've got enough time to get out of the way.

However, Warner believes if Australian batsmen rein in on their temptation and reduce the risk, the short balls would allow them to take easy runs.

"With the field they set, you can play the percentages. It's very difficult to try and score. You can score if it's in the right line. From a left-hander's point of view coming around the wicket, you've got so many catchers but you've got no power to get onto the ball from this sort of angle.

"It's just a matter of biding your time and if one comes off your hip you can try and rotate it. You've got to have in the back of your mind what the game plan is."

© Cricbuzz

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