Former Australian Test cricketer Mark Waugh says that David Warner is well on track to become an all-time great of the sport, and also shared his thoughts on the Big Bash League’s success and possible future expansion plans.
Warner was awarded his second Allan Border Medal on Monday night, also taking out the award for Australia’s best one-day international player after an incredible run of form, which included scoring five centuries in his last 10 innings in the 50-over form of the game.
Waugh says the 30-year-old’s success is well deserved, proving his status as one of the world’s best cricketers in all forms of the game.
“Obviously well deserved, winning that AB Medal. He’s had a great season,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“His record is unbelievable. He sits right up there with the best in the world at the moment and obviously as an Australian player over the years, he is probably going to end up right at the top of the tree as well.
“He just goes from strength to strength. Ever since he was named vice-captain he has been an even better player.”
Waugh says that despite the opening batsmen’s incredible past 24 months, he can still get ane even better.
“He’s improving every year and his game is probably not even at the top yet. He can still get even better,” he said.
“He can be more consistent and tighten up his technique in certain areas.
“He is an outstanding player, he is pretty much at the top now but every player can get even better and I think he has proven in the last little bit in one-day cricket that scoring five hundreds, that’s the level he can be at regularly.”
BBL is a bigger success than anyone expected; future expansion needs to be treated carefully
Waugh also touched on the success of the Big Bash League, which was reported yesterday to have trumped the Australian Open tennis as the most popular January sporting event on TV in Australia.
The former Test batsman, who provides commentary for Network Ten’s coverage of the Twenty20 competition, says that the BBL’s popularity has surprised everyone.
“It’s taken off a little bit more than everyone would have expected,” said Waugh.
“The crowds have been fantastic everywhere, right around the country. We’ve had packed houses for most games and everyone seems to be getting into it and following a team with great enthusiasm, so it’s helping the sport grow.
“More people are watching it. The women love it, the kids love it and it’s great entertainment for the normal cricket follower. I can’t see it getting any smaller, let’s put it that way.
“Everyone knows what time of the year it is on and everyone looks forward to it. We’re getting some great games and some good quality standard of cricket which is important. That’s helping people get through the gates and helping spectators follow their teams.”
Waugh says that this current success should mean that rumours Cricket Australia may be looking into expanding the tournament by playing a longer tournament and adding new teams from Geelong, the Gold Coast, Canberra and potentially even New Zealand should be carefully considered.
“The crowds are great at the moment so you wonder whether you then need to tinker with the way it is going because it is so good,” he said.
“You would have to think very carefully about adding more teams…you don’t want to dilute that player pool too much.”