HYDERABAD, April 30: Signing off his IPL campaign with another match-winning half-century to help Sunrisers Hyderabad take a step closer towards qualifying for the Playoffs, David Warner said the cash-rich tournament is a stepping stone for the World Cup.
Playing his last match of season on Monday night before heading home for World Cup preparations, Australia�s Warner struck a belligerent 81 off 56 balls to complete his IPL 2019 campaign with 692 runs, the highest so far in the tournament, and guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a 45-run win over Kings XI Punjab.
�I am looking forward to the World Cup and this (IPL) was a stepping stone to that,� the Sunrisers Hyderabad opener said at the post-match presentation ceremony. Warner predicted high scores in the upcoming ODI World Cup in England, starting May 30.
�This World Cup, you�ll see some high scores. Hopefully the ball doesn�t swing as much. Obviously England are the home team and they�re great. We are the reigning champions and for us it is going out there backing our abilities and being our best selves,� he said.
Warner along with Steve Smith were handed 12-month bans by Cricket Australia for their role in ball-tampering in South Africa last year, a punishment which both the players have already served.
Post the ban, Warner was in imperious form in the ongoing IPL and is the current Orange Cap holder.
�I have had time off to work harder at my game. Put the bat down for 16-18 weeks and just worked hard on being the best father and best husband, that has worked for me. Yeah, I try to be the funny man in the team, the prankster.� � PTI
