David Warner has made a sensational U-turn on his retirement from Test cricket in January by announcing that he is “available” for selection for Australia’s upcoming series against India.
In a rather bizarre interview, Warner told News Corp that he was “very serious” about the claim, and that the 37-year-old also dropped out of Australia’s ODI squad despite continuing to play for Australia in the T20 World Cup. of this year.
Warner even admitted he had been in contact with Australia men’s coach Andrew Mcdonald and selector George Bailey about the move.
It comes amid a storm of speculation over who will emerge from Australia at the top of Australia’s order this summer against India.
Cameron Green is expected to be sidelined for around six months due to a stress fracture in his lower back and will now undergo surgery to fix the problem. Meanwhile, Steve Smith will drop back to No. 4 after his brief stint at the top of the order.
Doubts have grown over whether 19-year-old prodigy Sam Konstas could be chosen to start at the top after he scored two centuries for New South Wales in his first Sheffield Shield match.
Other stars Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw failed to reach triple figures in their first five Shield games this summer.
But Warner has made it clear that it is prepared to make a surprising return.
“I’m always available, I just have to pick up the phone,” he said. news corporation on Tuesday.
‘I always speak very seriously. Let’s be honest, the boys have played a red ball match (first round of the shield) since their last trial matches in February, so I’ve had almost the same preparation.’
Meanwhile, Marcus Harris has started the summer in good form and is likely to be included as one of the top order batsmen this summer, hitting 143 in his first innings against Tasmania two weeks ago.
“Honestly, if they really needed me for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play,” added Warner, who hasn’t played in the Shield this summer.
Former Australia Test batsman David Warner is available for selection ahead of this summer’s series against India.
Warner said he had retired for the right reason but would return to the international fold if his country needed him.
“I retired for the right reasons to finish the game and I wanted to finish.” (But) my hand is raised if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that.’
Warner recently played for the Trailblazers in the MAX60 Carribean series, but was candid about his approach to Australian coach and selector McDonald and Bailey.
‘I shamelessly messaged them both. I spoke to Torch (McDonald) and his response was; “You retired,” he said.
‘I don’t think he wants to give me the pleasure of being told; ‘Can you come back?’
But despite Australia’s selection woes, some were left baffled by Warner’s claims online, with some saying: “No thanks.”
“Guys, the reason we no longer have an opening match after staying too long,” said another.
Fans reacted to Warner’s statement on X (formerly Twitter) with some agreeing that he needed to return, while others told him not to return.
“No one calls you brother,” one added, while another said: “I think we’re a good champion; in fact, if we don’t allow your farewell tour, we might have some time for our next opening match.”
“He had a two-year farewell tour, no need for a third summer,” said another.
One, however, disagreed, stating: “100 percent (Warner) needs to come back as others didn’t step up.” They fail under the pressure of the Shield, there is no chance they can handle international pressure.
Warner also addressed Australia’s problems in the top order, stating: “My view is that I liked what they were thinking last year with the fact that Greeny is in their best top six (so make the rankings fix that) .
‘It doesn’t necessarily have to be a starter. I think you can have someone else who can come in and hit three and Marnus (Labuschagne) could open.
“Is Nathan McSweeney (37 and 72 for South Australia) a good enough player to come in and hit 3?”
He also gave his verdict on Konstas, after his exciting start to the season.
Warner claims to have contacted Australia cricket coach Andrew McDonald about his possible return.
‘Konstas can definitely over time be that long-term opening batsman… and look, there’s every opportunity for him to do that, but I think you still have to look at it a little bit more.
‘I think Will Pucovski was a much more complete cricketer than Konstas now and was a bit more of a stroke-maker. But Konstas can become that in time.’