George Bailey knows all too well that sledging David Warner is not a good idea.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann mocked Warner’s recent claim he enjoys being niggled, noting on BBC radio that it’s “all part of the bravado”.
Warner, speaking after stellar back-to-back Test series in which he’s scored 1066 runs at 71.06 in eight matches, had suggested he loves it when the opposition hurl verbals at him.
Bailey, having had many battles with Warner in domestic cricket, could only agree.
“It wouldn’t be my tactic (sledging Warner). I think it switches him on,” Bailey said on the eve of his side’s Twenty20 clash with South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
“I don’t think I’m letting the cat out of the bag there. We’ve seen he thrives on the contest, he’s a pretty combative little bloke.
“He’s had some good run-ins with Ben Hilfenhaus over the years. They like to go pretty hard at each other, it always makes for a pretty entertaining battle.”
Bailey noted Warner “doesn’t draw breath in the changerooms with us either” but couldn’t be more complimentary of how the 27-year-old has turned his life and cricket career around in the past nine months.
“It’s probably been his consistency off the field as much as on it,” Bailey said.
“Obviously you get the runs. But I’ve been really impressed with his attitude and his consistency in terms of the way he’s prepared,” he said.
Warner will continue his battle with Faf du Plessis in Sunday’s T20 match at St George’s Park.
However, du Plessis is captain of South Africa’s T20 team and acknowledged he has much responsibility at the helm of a youthful side.
“The Test team is a little bit more mature and older, the T20 team has more younger faces,” du Plessis said.
Bailey noted results would not be his side’s focus in the three-match series and du Plessis agreed.
“If guys aren’t 100 per cent they will be rested. The bigger picture is the (T20) World Cup,” he said.