Our victory in Hobart was special for many reasons.

The lads enjoyed a good celebration in the dressing rooms after the game, savouring a few beers in our whites and baggy greens before returning to our hotel. I dont think there is anything as sweet as a Test match win.

It only clicked in my mind on the final day as Sri Lanka were edging towards a draw that we may enter the Boxing Day Test match without a win under our belt this summer.

In my mind (and yes, I am bias) that would have been grossly unfair.

The victory in Hobart was one we deserved after coming up with donuts against South Africa when deep down I think everyone felt we should've taken something out of it. I'd be lying if my mind didn't flash back to Adelaide on that final day, but I always felt given the state of the pitch that a result was more likely in Hobart.

It proved to be the case and it was great to see a real breakthrough moment come for Mitchell Starc in the Test arena. He stepped up when we needed him!

On a personal note I was happy to score a couple of half-centuries. Consistency is something I'm looking to improve on and while obviously disappointed not to go on with it, scoring consistently has me feeling confident for Boxing Day.

For now I'm back at home with friends and family before heading down to Melbourne to celebrate Xmas and then Boxing Day!

Merry Xmas to all thanks for everyone's support over the year. Warner31.com will be back next year bigger and better!

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After two to three months of being in Twenty20 mode, it’s great to be getting stuck in to some red ball preparation ahead of our upcoming Test series against South Africa.

Shortly after flying in from South Africa, I snuck in a club match with my grade side Easts, which as it worked out was a twenty20, and we managed to get up by two runs. I scored 17 off 22 balls – not my best innings – but at least we got the win up and I got to catch up the boys.

After three months on tour I’m already back on a plane, this time headed for Brisbane for NSW’s Shield match against Queensland. This game is crucial for my Test preparations so I’m very keen to get some hours in the middle. The Blues have had a great start to the season so it’s important with our Test players available we carry on the good work and don’t let anyone down.

The next 12 months is shaping as the biggest of my career so far and I honestly cannot wait for the challenges that await. South Africa are the top team in Tests and I want to prove myself against them. I’ve faced Steyn and Morkel quite a lot in the past so I know what I’m in for against those guys. But I’ve not seen much of Philander so I’ll need to do my homework before the first Test.

No matter happens on a personal level, it’s sure to be a cracking series and hopefully we can win it and take the No.1 ranking.

Until next time, Dave

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