David Warner’s profession within the Baggy Green has been positioned below severe strain over the previous 18 months, together with his strongest critics declaring he ought to be shafted as Australia seems to the longer term.
A glowing 200 on the MCG on Boxing Day did loads to zip the lips of these calling for his fast axing, however there have been all the time questions hanging over what he might do in English circumstances.
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At 36 with over 100 Tests below his belt, Warner has made no secret he needs to retire on his personal phrases. And a dogged stand in opposition to a nippy Indian assault final night time proved he nonetheless has loads within the tank.
While it wasn’t a theatrical milestone innings, Warner did loads to guarantee selectors and followers his assured model of batting has not gone away.
Australia have been in bother within the opening overs when Usman Khawaja fell for a duck earlier than opening accomplice Warner counterattacked.
His innings of 43 resulted in unfortunate trend when he gloved an tried pull off Shardul Thakur and was effectively caught down the legside by diving wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat.
As the solar got here out, Warner struck first-change Umesh Yadav for 3 fours in successive balls, with a forcing shot by means of cover-point adopted by an uppercut over the slips and a extra delicate late reduce.
Even higher was a cover-driven 4 off Thakur that sped throughout the outfield on the London floor.
Former Aussie Test openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer each took discover of Warner’s poise on the crease after effortlessly bludgeoning one of many world’s quickest bowlers round The Oval.
It was an apparent trace to move selector George Bailey that Warner on the high of the order meant safety for the Ashes.
“You can see from his body language that he was right into this match,” Hayden mentioned on Channel 7.
“When the sun started flowing, so too did those runs.
“He was brilliant.”
“He played off the front foot and the back foot … that’s a sign David Warner’s in good form,” former Australian coach Langer added.
It got here as vice-captain Steve Smith recommended Warner’s Test retirement plan is probably not as locked in because it appears.
On Saturday night time, 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.
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 mentioned.
“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.”
Warner mentioned: “I probably owe it to myself and my family – if I can score runs here and continue to play back in Australia – I can definitely say I won‘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.”
Australia was 3/327 at stumps on Day One with head on 146* and Smith on 95*.
Source: www.news.com.au
