David Warner on the World Cup boo-boys: "I thrive on that stuff"

He has scored 500 runs so far in this year’s World Cup at an average of 83.33, making him the tournament’s top run-scorer

David Warner has laughed off the frosty reception he has been afforded since touching down in England, adding that the boo-boys among the World Cup crowds have helped his performances.

The Australian opening batsman, who was banned by Cricket Australia for a year following his part in the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal, has shown no ill-effects of his time away from the 50-over game since his return to the international fold.

He has scored 500 runs so far in this year’s World Cup at an average of 83.33, making him the tournament’s top run-scorer.

“At the end of the day, people have the right to come in here, they pay their dollars and if they want to boo us, they can,” Warner told reporters at Lord's after making 53 in Australia’s 64-run win over England.

“As I said before, I thrive on that stuff, I love it.

“At the end of the day, you have to smile — they pay their money to come and watch us and we are grateful for them to come and sit down and watch us.

“I always just smile. I take my glasses off and look everyone in the eye and just smile.

“That is what it’s about, I am living the dream, I am out here at Lord’s, playing cricket for my country.”

^{Warner made 166 against Bangladesh - the highest individual score of the tournament}

Warner added that his time away from the pressure cooker of the international cricketing arena had provided him with a new perspective on the sport.

“I really saw smiles on people’s faces to be out there on a Saturday afternoon, all the volunteers that come down and put time and effort in, whether it is making the drinks, making the lunches,” he added.

“People’s parents, my mum, my dad coming down, it is just great. You can’t take that for granted. I am just grateful for the second opportunity to come back here and represent my country and do the country proud.”

Despite his runs, Warner has come in for criticism from some quarters for his rate of scoring; only three of the top 15 run-scorers have scored at slower. However, given his weight of runs and Australia’s record – they have lost just once, such a figure will be of little concern.