David Warner believes that longer breaks between series will benefit players in the long run
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia opener David Warner has admitted that larger breaks between series are needed in order to help players avoid becoming mentally drained.
Warner illustrated his point by using the quick turnaround between the Ashes series and the five-match ODI series against England.
Coming off a 4-0 win in the Ashes, Warner pointed out that some of the players should have been given a break rather than being thrust into the ODI series, which Australia lost 4-1.
Like captain Steve Smith, Warner conceded that he also mentally fatigued during and after the ODI series against England.
“In hindsight, you can say yes (given) the way that we performed,” Warner told cricket.com.au. “But even if we performed as well, you probably would have got a break as well.
“I just think the thing that’s missing is the gap between the last Test and the first one-day game. England had, I think, four players maybe (playing both Tests and ODIs) and besides Chris Woakes, there wasn’t another bowler. You look at little things like that that can benefit us in a way. It was a bit of a mental breakdown from a few of us.”
Warner is currently captaining the Twenty20 team in the ongoing T20 tri-series after Smith was given a break ahead of Australia’s tour of South Africa.
Speaking about the T20 tri-series, Warner feels that his side have won all their games thus far due to the fact that fresh faces have been brought in.
“If you look at the Twenty20 team at the moment, the way these guys have come out of the Big Bash fresh, they’re just killing it,” he said. “It’s sort of set the example that if we come around to the same situation again with a big Ashes series, do we look at certain things? And that’s up to Cricket Australia to look at and judge.
“It’s up to the individual as well to put their hand up. If you are cooked or something, you’re an adult, you’re not going to get shot down for putting your hand up. We have the onus upon ourselves to do that.
“(But) we’re never going to put our hand up to say we need a rest, that’s for sure, because every day we’re living the dream.”
Meanwhile, even though Warner will miss the practice match prior to the four-Test series against South Africa, he is confident that he will regain his touch with the bat when facing the Proteas.
“Hopefully I’ll get my time in the nets and I will be able to adjust to that,” he said. “Mentally, 100 per cent you’re going to be drained. Physically you’re always primed when you go out there no matter what. There’s no excuses.”