Australia cricket vice-captain Steve Smith has recommended David Warner’s Test retirement plan is probably not as locked in because it appears.
On Saturday evening, Warner revealed he wished to bow out of Test cricket with a ultimate match on the SCG in opposition to Pakistan subsequent January, whereas persevering with his short-form profession till the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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It implies that Warner would play the World Test Championship Final in opposition to India, earlier than all 5 Ashes Tests and three Tests in opposition to Pakistan.
It would additionally imply Australia must blood a brand new opening pair for the two-Test sequence in opposition to the West Indies in January.
But there’s an enormous if that Smith has doubled down on — whether or not Warner can discover and keep in type to play the ultimate 9 Tests of his profession.
“It’s nice to have an end date if that’s the way you want to go, but ultimately we’ve all got to be doing our job and for batters that’s scoring runs. That’s all of our jobs,” Smith stated.
“In an ideal world that’s when Davey said he’d like to finish up, but he’s got to score runs. All of us do. We’ll see what happens.”
To be truthful, even Warner acknowledged the query marks in his feedback.
Warner stated: “I most likely owe it to myself and my household – if I can rating runs right here and proceed to play again in Australia – I can positively say I received‘t be playing that West Indies series.
“If I can get through this (WTC final and ensuing Ashes campaign) and make the Pakistan series, I will definitely finish up then.”
There remains a huge question mark over Warner as the 36-year-old has been a shadow of his former self recently.
In his past 32 innings dating back to January 2021, Warner has hit 914 runs at an average of 29.4, although minus his Boxing Day 200 last year, it drops to 23.8, featuring just four half centuries in that time.
And Warner will be hoping to reverse his disastrous last tour of England in 2019 where he scored 95 runs at an average of 9.5 and was dismissed seven times by Stuart Broad.
On the bright side for Warner, England have asked for flat wickets where they can play their signature high run rate Bazball style of cricket, which should negate some of the swing that the opening batter found so difficult.
Smith, who starred for Australia last time they were in England, is determined to achieve his first winning series in England.
While admitting the World Test Championship is something the Aussies want to win, he added that the Ashes was the real focus as the nation last won the urn in England back in 2001, having retained the trophy in 2019 in a 2-all draw.
“The Ashes series here is one that’s eluded us,” Smith stated.
“We got close last time and couldn’t quite get over the line.
“It’s certainly something I’d like to tick off my bucket list, winning an Ashes series here.”
Source: www.news.com.au
