DAVID Warner has described Australia’s Test series defeat to South Africa as a “kick up the backside” and is delighted with the way the team have responded.Losses to the Proteas in Perth and Hobart last November – the latter by a humiliating margin of an innings and 80 runs – resulted in the resignation of chief selector Rod Marsh and sweeping changes to Australia’s side for the third and final Test in Adelaide.
Those alterations have so far paid off, Steve Smith’s side having recorded a consolation victory over South Africa before sweeping Pakistan 3-0 in a series that saw newcomers Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw impress.
Warner, a centurion in each of the two most recent wins, told Cricket Australia’s official website: “Losing the Test series on home soil is probably the kick up the backside … we got it handed to us and we needed to bounce back from that.
“The Australian fans were not happy with us and what we were doing. We know as a team we weren’t good enough.
“The batters took more of the responsibility, which we should have, and we’ve bounced back.
“There was a lot of talk about them coming here and their spearhead quicks knocking our top order over and it was going to be easy for them. That was the talk in the media.
“I’m just glad we turned up and played the best cricket that we could.”
After a five-match ODI series against Pakistan, Australia’s next Tests will come on a tour of India – the top-ranked nation who thrashed England 4-0 in a recent home series.
“To be brutally honest, they (England) played very well,” Warner added. “They batted deep, they got big runs on the board. India just got bigger runs on the board.
“So for us as a team to take some positives out of that … the challenge is to try and bat longer periods.
“We’re going to have to take 20 wickets to win the game, simple as that, and we’re going to have to adapt straightaway. No excuses.”