David Warner has issue a timely piece of advice to Cameron Green about the potential perils of an Indian Premier League stint next season, urging caution ahead of a cluttered cricket calendar.
Still regarded as Australia’s most exciting young talent at age 23, Green has nominated for next month’s IPL auction and will likely fetch a significant salary.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Justin Langer sets record straight in exclusive interview.
Watch, Stream & Catch Up with Australia’s Home of Cricket on 7plus >>
Green’s intention to play comes after Pat Cummins pulled out of the tournament citing workload concerns, with more than 100 days of international cricket scheduled in the next 12 months.
Mitchell Starc has also long skipped the big-money franchise league, with next year’s schedule alone including a Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Ashes and ODI World Cup.
Green has spoken with Australian officials about the issue, and saw advantages in developing his game above workload concerns.
But Warner is not so certain it will be that easy.
“From an experience point of view it’s great,” Warner told reporters.
“From a playing point of view, he’s got four Test matches and a few T20s or one-dayers after it.
“Nineteen weeks straight in India, being your first trip as well, can be quite challenging from the heat perspective, the playing, the recovery.
“I’ve been through it, I’ve done the test series and the IPL straight before. It is tough. Then on the back of that you’ve got five test matches in England.
“Then I think you’ve got 20 days off before you go to Africa and then go to a World Cup (in India).
“Glenn Maxwell did it a couple of years ago, played the whole year and then was cooked come the (home) season.”
CRICKET MATCH CENTRES: Fixtures, live scores, player stats and more
Warner himself will embark on a similar schedule next year, but has the experience of years of playing in India while also not having the bowling workload Green carries.
Green himself has battled back injuries in his early years that at one stage prevented him from bowling and meant he could play for Western Australia as a batsman only.
But those are now long cleared, and he will enter his maiden Test in Perth against West Indies on Wednesday with no limits on his bowling workload.
“(Managing workload) is something I am trying to learn over time,” Green said.
“I had a really good chat with the coaching staff before I debuted for Australia and they gave me a really good question, saying, ‘If you were going to debut in half hour what would you do?
“I was like, ‘I would have a hit for half hour and make myself feel ready’. But they pointed out I have already hit a million balls in my life.
“I don’t need to go have a hit in the morning.
“I would be best to prepare for a game, have a good stretch and eat a lot of food, and back my skills. I am slowly trying to learn that.
“So, before a day of cricket, I will try and charge my body, because looking after my body is probably the key.”
Warner also said he will reassess his future at the end of the Test summer, with the opener likely to be the first of the current team to retire from red-ball cricket.
Warner indicated earlier this month he could retire from Test cricket within a year, while eying the chance to play on in white-ball cricket until the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Asked whether this could be his last Test summer on Australian soil ahead of Wednesday series opener against West Indies in Perth, Warner responded: “They’re the whispers.
“I did make some comments but these legs are still fresh. I’m still scoring runs.
“I’ll have to assess again at the end of the season and speak to the family.
“I’ve got three beautiful young girls and my wife at home has sacrificed a lot, so there’s a lot of things I have to weigh up.
“But I’m still here for the 2024 World Cup – so look out.”
– AAP