Need to tackle Indian spinners better in middle overs: David Warner

Melbourne, Jan 27: Holding the team's batting failure responsible for the opening T20I loss, Australian batsman David Warner today said the hosts need to play smarter cricket against the Indian spinners and take full advantage of the big stadiums Down Under.

Ind-Aus series schedule

Apart from skipper Aaron Finch's 44, the rest of the Australian batting surrendered meekly against the Indian attack. And Warner, who fell to debutant medium-pacer Jasprit Bumrah (3-23) for 17, wants to learn from his mistakes. (Kohli scales another high)

"During those middle overs a lot of us get carried away trying to play too many big shots and not trying to take advantage of the big fields in Australia. I think in India you can actually get away with trying to hit boundaries cause it's a bit smaller and with either side of the fielders around the bat, you can actually get a more value for your shots," Warner told reporters here ahead of the second T20 game at the MCG on Friday (January 29).

"But definitely your basic batting wasn't there last night (in Adelaide) and that's trying to get twos on the big field." (Fired up Kohli gives send-off to Smith)

Shane Watson (2-24) was the pick of the Australian bowlers in India's tall score of 188 for three in the first T20 match and Warner welcomed his teammate's return to the international fold.

"Obviously his form over the last 18 months hasn't been as good as he would like. He knows that; we all know that. We always want him performing to the best of his ability and the one thing I think he's at strength is his bowling."

PTI