David Warner retired from Test cricket after playing the first Test of the Australian summer against Pakistan. Another veteran Steve Smith opened the innings in Warner's place last summer. As another Australian summer approaches, there is a lot of discussion in the Australian media about who is a worthy replacement for Warner.
George Bailey's selection panel wants to bring Smith back to his preferred number four position and partner Usman Khawaja with someone new. Among the youngsters, Sam Constas is in the discussion. There are also names of openers who have previously played for Australia like Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris.
Warner has recently added his name to this discussion. Although the former World Cup-winning opener jokingly said that he wants to return to Test cricket after retirement. Australian captain Pat Cummins is enjoying his former teammate's humor. Cummins, on the other hand, jokingly took a dig at Big Bash team Sydney Thunder after hearing Warner's wishes.
Warner and Cummins have played Big Bash for Thunder since the beginning of their careers. The team will take the field under Warner's leadership in the upcoming Big Bash season. If Cummins had not been busy with the Test series against India, the Australian pacer might have had to handle the captaincy responsibility.
Cummins wanted to remind Warner of the same thing when he said goodbye to Test cricket. The Australian captain, in a comedy podcast 'The Grade Cricketer', said with a laugh about Warner's interest in returning to the Test team, 'Dave (Warner) we are also very interested in having you in the team.
We are looking at the matter seriously. We will keep in touch with you.' Later, recalling the Big Bash, Cummins added, 'I also spoke to Dave a few days ago. I said what do you think, good luck playing for Sydney Thunder this year.’
Recently, Warner told the media about his comeback, ‘I am always ready, you just have to pick up the phone. I am not kidding. The boys have only played one red-ball match since the last Test match in February (March), so my preparation is almost the same as theirs.’
Warner said goodbye to international cricket after the last T20 World Cup. Even then, the 37-year-old Australian batsman expressed his desire to return for the upcoming Champions Trophy in July.
In view of the left-handed opener’s request, Australia’s chief selector George Bailey made it clear that Warner is not getting that opportunity. He said, ‘We assume that David (Warner) has retired. He should be praised for his great career in all three editions. Our plan is definitely that he will not be in Pakistan (for the Champions Trophy).’
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