Warner takes brilliant catch but makes just 1 on return to cricket
David Warner's return to the crease was over in a matter of minutes but it mattered little as his Winnipeg Hawks opened the inaugural Global T20 Canada with a victory.
Warner's star-studded Winnipeg side enjoyed a 46-run win against the Montreal Tigers at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, north of Toronto.
Making his return to cricket at the fledgling league in Toronto, while serving a 12-month international and domestic first-class ban for ball-tampering in South Africa, Warner was dismissed for 1 after facing just two balls when opening the batting.
"Get more than one run," Warner joked when asked how to live up to his billing.
"Good to be back out in the field with a smile on my face. These tournaments are exciting, just like the IPL or the Big Bash League.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity."
Warner opened his account with a single when he nudged one to the leg side from a delivery by fellow Australian Peter Siddle, but he was dismissed on the first ball of the second over by Lasith Malinga.
Warner attempted a defensive shot but was bowled by the former Sri Lanka T20 captain on an average-looking wicket.
Hobart Hurricanes batsman, Australian Ben McDermott, led the way for Winnepeg with 68 runs, while Darren Bravo was also impressive with 54 to take the Hawks to 4-203 from their 20 overs.
If his performance with the bat wasn't entirely up to scratch, Warner more than made up for it in the field.
Warner started the innings with a bang by taking a fine catch, chasing back from mid-off to dismiss opener Dwayne Smith for a second-ball duck.
The New South Welshman continued his good showing in the field to take a diving catch to dismiss Ashley Nurse on the long off boundary, as well as effecting a run-out to dismiss Canadian Rayyan Pathan for 20 and taking a towering catch to dismiss Kevon Cooper for a duck.
Warner could not match the exploits of his former Test captain Steve Smith, who on his return to competitive cricket cracked a half-century and took a superb catch during the opening match of the fledgling Canadian league the day prior.
Smith made 61 off 41 balls to lead the Toronto Nationals to a six-wicket win over the Vancouver Knights.
Smith and Warner will come face to face in the seventh game of the competition at 1am (AEST) on July 3.
AAP/ABC
[contf]
[contfnew]
ABC .net
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
