- Warner used to open the batting with Chris Rogers.
- The 37-year-old has offered to come out of retirement.
One of David Warner’s former teammates has reacted brutally to his offer to come out of retirement and open the batting for Australia in the upcoming Test series against India.
Warner, who turns 38 next week and will appear on Fox Sports’ commentary box this summer, declared he was “always available” and confirmed he had texted Australian coach Andrew McDonald offering to return.
The selectors need to find a new opening partner for Usman Khawaja with Steve Smith, who filled the void for four Tests after Warner’s retirement last summer, ready to resume his position at number four where he averages over 60 .
But the prospect of the pugnacious opener’s return to the team after his farewell test in January has not been met with enthusiasm.
“I think Davey is being Davey and looking for a reaction,” Warner’s former hitting partner Chris Rogers said Wednesday.
‘I had to laugh. I thought to myself that maybe I should come to this press conference and say, “I’m ready to go.”
“But then I saw Mitch Starc bowling (in the Sheffield Shield) and I didn’t think there was any chance.”
Rogers’ broadside, which he delivered while laughing, comes after legendary Australian Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy said he would offer a firm “No” to Warner’s offer.
David Warner’s offer to come out of retirement amid Australia’s major crisis hasn’t exactly been met with enthusiasm.
Warner’s former opening partner Chris Rogers (pictured together) laughed when asked about the 37-year-old’s retirement backflip.
Australian cricket experts have also been scathing about Warner’s explosive offer.
“This is a shooting carried out by a guy who was in a clown car,” journalist Peter Lalor said on SEN radio.
—Go away, David, we’ve had enough. It’s not your time.’
Journalist Gerard Whateley did not hold back in his opinion on the matter in a column for SEN.
Warner said he was very serious about returning to the Test team if asked.
“The lack of awareness is stunning,” Whateley wrote.
‘Australia pandered to Warner for too long, ignoring the urgent need for succession. And now that it is difficult to identify a successor, Warner believes he is the solution. Can you imagine?
“Do you think this morning we can find the only person who thinks this is a good idea?”
The first Test against India in Perth begins on November 22.