Psychologist helped reclaim composure: Australia's Warner

Sydney, Feb 10 (IANS) Australian opener David Warner has said speaking to a psychologist helped him reclaim his composure and assisted in his quest to begin the World Cup campaign with a relaxed approach.

"I've actually spoken to my psychologist about it," Warner was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday.

"There (are) thoughts go into your head. You try and premeditate, you want to come down the wicket to the spinner; you want to sort of give yourself a little bit of room to the leg side off one of the quicks and try and hit him over backward point or something.”

Warner said he has now understood he doesn't need to play on a high tempo mode from the beginning in a One-Day match and can take his time to build up his innings ala a Test match, finding gaps in the field to score runs.

"I think I've had to learn now to play (ODIs) just like Test match cricket. Place it, try and hit the gaps. I can get myself off to a good start, I don't really need to take it to them," he added.

"I've just stated to learn that and I've found my way now. If the ball is still going to be there and I want to hit it over the top by all means I'll do that.

But still in my mind I'm saying to myself 'I can still score at a strike rate of 100, even if I bat properly'. I've now got that in my head and now I can play the way I want to play." 

The 28-year-old averages 32.73 from 54 One-Day matches in contrast to his Test average of 48.20 from 36 matches that justifies his impatience in the 50-over game previously.

Australia play their first World Cup match against England Feb 15 at Melbourne.