Matthew Gilkes like many Australians watched David Warner hit a monster 200 runs at the MCG on Tuesday.
In near 40-degree heat and years after his last Test century, Warner showed that he still has the goods to produce top level batting displays.
“He's a world-class player who's been doing it for so long,” Gilkes said.
“He brings so much experience so it will be great for the young guys like me and a few of the other batters to watch the way he goes about his business.”
“It will be unreal opening the batting with him. I've done it a couple of times for NSW and it's cool to open the batting with a guy I've watched on TV for so long.”
Gilkes has scored 99 runs so far this BBL at an average of 19.80. He has a season high 56 not out in an 124-run stand with Alex Hales against the Brisbane Heat.
As for David Warner he has played one match a piece from BBL01-03. In the BBL01 inaugural season Warner's lone innings is his top score of 102 from 51.
In BBL02 his lone innings was just a two-ball duck, with his most recent innings coming in BBL03 where he scored 50 from 31. His three innings come out to an average of 76.
Cricket Australia hopes Warner's arrival will boost television ratings and get more fans to stadiums around the country. The Thunder can likely unleash Warner on January 13 against the Perth Scorchers.
