Australia Test batsman David Warner says when his blood starts pumping he just wants to keep playing shots, so it’s lucky Ed Cowan’s at the other end to calm him down.

Warner has scored three hundreds in 13 Tests and has a strike-rate of 71.39 runs per 100 balls, compared to Oxford-educated Cowan’s 43.18.

“It’s more about being smart,” Warner said on Monday.

“Ed’s the type of guy, he takes the brains out there in the middle with us.

“He’s the one who keeps me cool.

“He can identify periods where if I’m going and it’s close to lunch, he’ll just say to me ‘still play your shots but just be mindful that lunch is around the corner’.

“You need the brains there. I reckon he’s too smart for cricket.

“When he’s under pressure he finds a way to block out everything that’s around him and just bat.

“It’s an amazing thing to have him at the other end to help guide you through. It’s fantastic.”

Praise doesn’t change the fact Cowan averages a modest 34.00 in his 11-Test career.

However Warner says his fellow left-hander brings more to the table than raw numbers.

“If there’s a tough period and he’ll just say to me `this is what we have to do, there’s a little bit of swing out there, let’s be cautious’,” Warner said.

“Ed’s doing a fantastic job and keeping me level-headed is probably the key.”

Warner made 57 and 68 in last week’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart, sharing a 132-run opening stand with Cowan (56) in the second innings. Cowan should have been out LBW for five, but was fortunate Sri Lanka didn’t call for a review.

Former T20 specialist Warner is setting himself for a big season in all three formats after struggling for runs at times in the one-dayers last summer.

“I’m feeling better than I was last year,” Warner said.

“It does become mentally exhausting not being able to see your mates and enjoy yourself at home in the periods like this.

“I’ve got that away from me and I’m actually enjoying cricket and hopefully I can keep doing it for the next 10 years.”