Ian Healy's truth bomb for David Warner after swipe at critics at World Cup

Aussie cricket great Ian Healy has urged in-form batter David Warner to focus on the positives after his brutal swipe at critics at the Cricket World Cup. Warner has been in sensational form for the Aussies at the tournament, where he has scored two centuries and made 413 runs at an average of 68.83 across his side's first six games.

The veteran batter has copped his fair share of criticism over the past two years - mainly around his form in red-ball cricket and position at the top of the order for Australia's Test side. The 37-year-old was quick to take a swipe at his detractors when asked this week whether the criticism was a motivating factor behind his blistering recent form.

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“Nup. I just make everyone look stupid," he said in response. “Everyone keeps writing me off... At the end of the day, I’m doing as well as I can, I’m just trying to go out there and start as well as I can upfront."

Healy says while he can understand how Warner would be loving the fact he's proving doubters wrong, the legendary wicketkeeper said it was "disappointing" the batter is focusing on negatives, rather than embracing the positives in the latter stage of his career.

Ian Healy wants David Warner to 'forget' criticism

“Forget it, Davey. Would be my message," Healy said on SENQ Breakfast. “My era of Australian teams was sometimes criticised by Cricket Australia (CA) for our ‘siege mentality’.

“When we came under pressure for either off-field or on-field issues, we could be prickly and defensive. I know the temptation that Davey has fallen into and succumbed to this week when he uttered the words, ‘I'm making everyone look stupid’.

“What I don't comprehend and will never be able to is just the amount of incredibly unfair criticism that Dave has endured in a short period and made it back to his feet and through the other side. He's never forgetting a lot of that, I'm sure, and I forgive him for that because I'll never know just how hard that's been.”

Healy concedes some of the criticism about Warner's form over the last couple of years was perhaps warranted but insists the veteran batter is looking back to his dominating best for the Aussies at the World Cup. “Now, he's batted amazingly - to forget even the most recent past, his feet are going great,” Healy added. “His cutting is back to its best and his pulling and hooking is better than ever.

“But he's most keen to make people eat words and look stupid it seems. That's a disappointing thing for mine. I hope his great supporters don't feel stupid, at a time of the highest praise being handed out to his play, because they at this stage could easily be recognised in these good times, rather than just negativity.

“That way, teammates, selectors and family can really enjoy this play once again. I hope he finishes strong, winning this World Cup on his bat if that's possible, enjoy the summer all around the country and finish happy.”

Warner's Aussie side preparing for England clash

Warner has already indicated that he plans to retire from Test cricket after the New Year's Test against Pakistan at the SCG in 2024. For now though, the opener's thoughts will be firmly on Saturday night's World Cup clash with England and securing a win that would all but cement their spot in the semi-finals.

The Aussies will be without star all-rounders Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, with Marcus Stoinis and Cam Green the players likely to take their spots. Marsh has flown home to Australia due to a family issue but has vowed to help Australia win the World Cup when he returns. Maxwell is sidelined from the England clash after suffering concussion when he fell off a golf cart in a "boys will be boys" incident, as described by Stoinis.

with AAP

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