Former Australia opener David Warner said that he is ready to make his U-turn from his retirement from Test cricket if Australia calls on him to fill a vacancy at the top of the batting order for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Warner, who stepped away from Test cricket earlier this year after an impressive career that included 112 Tests, expressed his willingness to participate in New South Wales’ upcoming Sheffield Shield match to demonstrate his readiness.
Warner made it clear that his offer was serious, denying any suggestion that his comments were made in jest. “I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner told Code Sports. “I’m always dead serious. Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.”
The 37-year-old, considered one of Australia’s finest openers, retired last summer after amassing 8,786 runs and 26 centuries, including a personal best of 335 not out. However, with important players like Cameron Green sidelined due to injury and Steve Smith moving back to the No. 4 position following a short time at the top of the order, Warner thinks Australia might need to reassess their options for the opening slot.
“I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish. But my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that,” Warner said, adding that he had cheekily messaged both Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald and chief selector George Bailey about the situation. “I’ve spoken to Torch (McDonald) and his answer back to me was, ‘you retired,’” Warner laughed. “I don’t think he wants to give me the pleasure of him saying, ‘can you come back?’”
Warner shared his views on how Australia could adjust their batting order, suggesting that a traditional opener might not be necessary to fill his former position. Instead, he proposed that Marnus Labuschagne, who currently bats at No. 3, could take on the role of opening the batting.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be an opener,” Warner said. “I think you can have someone else come in and bat three, and Marnus could open. Is Nathan McSweeney (who scored 37 and 72 for South Australia) a good enough player to come in and bat three? There are options.”
Warner expressed optimism about the potential of 19-year-old Konstas, but he also noted that it may be too soon to consider him a long-term solution. “Konstas can definitely in time be that long-term opening batsman. But I think you still have to see a little bit more,” Warner added.
More on Sports Tak
