DAVID WARNER has been urged to adopt Adam Gilchrist's carefree approach to batting in a bid to find his groove in the 50-over arena, as Australia strives to bounce back from an abysmal display which had ramifications on and off the field.
A humiliating loss was yesterday exacerbated by a ratings flop for Channel Nine, which earlier this week ruffled Cricket Australia's feathers by deciding to broadcast an NRL match on its primary channel in Sydney and Brisbane in favour of an ODI featuring the national team.
The network's telecast of Friday night's game was well beaten by Seven's Better Homes And Gardens 921,000 viewers to 711,000 nationally after drawing more than one million in each of Australia's first three tri-series games.
CA yesterday blamed the slump in viewers on Australia's poor form, which produced an early finish, and Sydney's wet weather, which led to a later-than-usual innings break.
''The problem we had last night was twofold. We were telecasting rain and a telecast of two hours of rain traditionally doesn't draw a big audience and the other problem was we batted first, we played like a busted arse and the quality of the game wasn't very good,'' a CA spokesman said.
''When we did eventually get to air people thought the game was over. It was pretty clearly a one-off.''
But CA said this year's audience for Australia's ODIs was up 20 per cent on those last summer against England.
Coach Mickey Arthur vowed his team would turn in a better performance today against India at the Gabba.
''Last night was unacceptable to be honest, we were well and truly outplayed,'' Arthur said.
A return to form for Warner will be vital for a reversal in Australia's fortunes.
The dashing left-hander was able to transfer his Twenty20 brilliance into the Test scene but the 50-over game is proving a tougher nut to crack.
Warner averages just 20 after 14 ODIs, well down on his Test and Twenty20 international numbers. He has just 71 runs at an average of 17.75 from four matches this series.
''The one thing that players like David can't afford to do is second guess themselves,'' captain Ricky Ponting said.
''Gilly was exactly the same. They're hand-eye players. They've got to see the ball, hit the ball and not really think too much about it.
''But we all know what it's like as batsmen when you're not getting the results that you're after.
''Sometimes it's the stuff between your ears that gets a little bit clouded and makes playing your natural game that little bit hard.
''That's probably what Dave's going through right at the moment.''
■ TODAY
ODI tri-series game seven: Australia v India at the Gabba, 2.20pm. TV Time: Live on WIN from 2pm.
.gif)
