Windies spinner gets Warner's wicket in a duel that will likely be seen again in the Caribbean next month
Narine gets last laugh in Warner battle
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine had the last laugh against David Warner during their Indian Premier League showdown on Sunday.
In a duel that may be seen again in the upcoming international Tri Series in the West Indies, Narine was targeted by Warner early before striking back in the fourth over of the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Australian vice-captain used the slog sweep to belt a Narine delivery over the rope for six, but the West Indian trickster delivered the perfect comeback by bowling Warner next ball.
Warner lamented the Sunrisers’ disappointing performance with the bat after the match.
"I think the key was taking pace off the ball. We didn’t adapt fast enough to conditions," Warner said.
"KKR played well, they always do at home. 170 is chaseable, but they’ve got a quality spin attack. I don’t think we rotated the strike as much. We have to adapt wherever we play the next game."
While Narine got the better of Warner on Sunday, Australia's vice-captain has been in outstanding form throughout the tournament.
Only Virat Kohli, whose ridiculous form has reaped 919 runs at 91.9, has scored more runs to date. Warner is averaging 54.83 after 14 matches, including seven half-centuries.
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With Narine one of two big-name inclusions in the West Indies squad for the Tri Series– which will also feature a South African side captained by AB de Villiers who has been in red-hot form in the IPL – the pair will have ample opportunity to continue their battle next month.
First though, the teams will meet again in a must-win elimination final on Wednesday, with the winner to keep their IPL title hopes alive.
The Caribbean series will be Narine’s first international assignment since he was suspended for an illegal bowling action last year.
Narine hasn't played for the West Indies since last November when he was reported and subsequently banned by the International Cricket Council for an illegal action.
But after undergoing testing at an ICC facility in Chennai, Narine was cleared last month in time to return to action for Kolkata.
The return of Narine is a timely boost for the Windies, who also welcome back allrounder Kieron Pollard after a long absence due to injury. Like Narine, Pollard hasn't played for the Windies since last November and is line to play his first ODI since October 2014.
The 14-man squad, which has been named for the first four matches of the series only, will be captained by Jason Holder and also includes World T20 heroes Carlos Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels.
The series starts in Guyana on June 3 before moving to St Kitts and then Barbados.