David Warner’s long-time batting associate Usman Khawaja has backed the out-of-sorts opener to proceed enjoying Tests for Australia for so long as he desires.
The 36-year-old enters the three-match sequence towards South Africa with important questions surrounding his red-ball future.
The dashing left-hander has indicated he desires to play till a minimum of the top of subsequent yr’s Ashes, with India and England – each away – looming within the subsequent 9 months.
Warner has not made a Test century since January 2020 and did not move 50 towards the battling West Indies in Perth and Adelaide.
Despite the stress constructing, Khawaja has declared Warner an irreplaceable power for Australia on the prime of the order.
“(I) always feel like Davey is close to making runs, felt like he was going to get a big one last couple of games but he got a couple of 20s,” Khawaja mentioned.
“I look at it from a wider perspective, think I said it after the game, it was more about that I’ve played domestic cricket the last few years, I’ve seen what’s around, we’ve got some really good cricketers coming up but we don’t have any Dave Warners.
“The batting line-up we have now proper now, the highest six, are one of the best gamers within the nation.
“If you had the choice of picking David Warner or someone else, I’m picking David Warner every day of the week.
“Think the opposition gamers know that, too, as a result of they understand how rapidly he can flip the sport.”
Warner and Khawaja batted together in junior ranks, then for NSW, and have reunited for Australia after the latter forced his way back into the Test team in January after more than two years.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald backed Warner in when asked about him this week but was cautious not to declare the veteran completely safe.
“At this stage, we have got him in our plans for India,” McDonald mentioned.
“We’ll see what occurs within the subsequent three Test matches, however at this stage he is firmly in our ideas for India.”
