- George Bailey has responded to David Warner’s change of heart over retirement
- Warner said he would be willing to play for Australia again.
- Bailey was questioned about Warner’s comments on Monday.
David Warner’s suggestion that he would be “open” to playing for Australia again has been ridiculed by chairman of selectors George Bailey.
The classy opener bid farewell to international play as Australia exited the recent T20 World Cup without qualifying for the semi-finals.
Warner had already retired from 50-overs cricket when Australia won last year’s ODI World Cup, and his Test retirement was made official in January.
But in a bold social media post last week, the 37-year-old claimed he was “open” to playing in next year’s Champions Trophy, if selected.
But Bailey flashed a big smile when asked about the post and said they were not planning on making Warner available for the tournament in Pakistan.
“You never know when ‘Bull’ (Warner) is joking,” Bailey said after announcing Australia’s squads for the white-ball tour of the United Kingdom.
‘I’ve been taking it as… if he misses us already, that’s a great sign.
‘I think he’s just stirring the waters a little bit.
George Bailey has responded to David Warner’s suggestion that he reverse his retirement
The Australian veteran said he would play for his country again if called up.
‘He’s had a wonderful career, I can’t celebrate it enough.
‘As time goes on, his legacy of what he’s done for Australia and we reflect on it, that legend of a player will only continue to grow.
“But as far as this team and the journey to transition to some different players, in all three formats, it’s going to be exciting.”
Warner will continue to play franchise cricket around the world, most notably in the Indian Premier League.
Following Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, Warner has named young prodigy Jake Fraser-McGurk as the country’s next big player.
“All yours now, champ,” Warner captioned an Instagram photo of himself and Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink.
Fraser-McGurk has been selected in the T20 and ODI squads to face England and Scotland in September.