What’s the mystery surrounding David Warner’s moustache, which appears, disappears and then reappears ? “My daughters don’t like it and I get rid of it when they want me to,” replied the swashbuckling opener. As brand ambassador for sports gear giant ASICS, he had visited one of their stores on Friday afternoon.
In a field where looking scruffy is fashionable, is David a dandy, preening himself before a mirror for long?
“Lazy’s more like it than fashionable,” quipped the ruthless run-getter. “Ï don’t spend too much time on my appearance but I’m particular about ironed clothes,” he said.
As a shopper, is Warner a brand or a bargain hunter ? “I’m a bit of both. When it comes to jeans, I check them out so that they fit me well. So should shirts match my body shape. For footwear, I choose ASICS because I am comfortable in them and they fit in well with the peculiar shape of my feet,” said the Sunrisers’ skipper.
What was it like to be interviewed on TV by Australia’s legendary opener Mathew Hayden ? “He’s the best opener Australia ever had. He’s a good friend and it helps a lot to talk to him,” said Warner.
Role models
Who were his role models ? “As an average fan, I always looked up to Hayden, Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist and Glen McGrath. I idolised them,” said the Australian opener in all three formats.
He however fumbled when asked to name those who had endorsed the brand before him. Famous predecessors in the role include Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson.
The most enduring image of the brand would however be of Finnish long distance runner Lasse Viren, who waved his ASICS Tiger Runspark spikes shortly after he won the 10,000 metres in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
In an age of amateur athletics, the International Olympic Committee saw it as brand promotion while the running legend attributed it to blisters that had forced him to take them off.
Japanese brand
The Japanese multinational takes it name from the acronym of the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano which translates to ‘a healthy soul in a healthy body.’
Warner had the gathering in splits with his opening stroke though. What has struck you about India this season ? “Everyone’s taking selfies,” he shot back.
By the end of the interaction, he couldn’t resist the temptation himself. Fishing a mobile phone out of his pocket, he pulled off a fast one with teammate Kane Williamson !
