Australia's national team's chief selector George Bailey has ruled out the possibility of recently-retired David Warner playing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Warner retired from all forms of cricket after Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to an end. However, he expressed the desire to play Champions Trophy if considered for selection.
“I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions Trophy if selected,” Warner had said.
Responding to Warner’s desire, Bailey said that as far as he knows the New South Wales-born opener will not be a part of the ODI squad.
"Our understanding is that David is retired, and [he] should be commended on what has been an incredible career across all three formats. Certainly, our planning is that he won't be there in Pakistan," Bailey was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Bailey feels Warner is joking
Bailey said Warner has had a wonderful career. However, he feels that Warner may have been joking about playing in Champions Trophy next year.
"You never know when Bull's joking…think he's just stirring the pot a bit. He's had a wonderful career, can't celebrate it enough, and think as time goes by, his legacy of what he has done for Australia and we reflect back on that, the legend of a player is only going to continue to grow," added Bailey.
"But, as far as this team goes and the journey to transition to some different players, in his case across all three formats, it's going to be exciting."
Bailey on July 15 announced Australia’s squad for the T20I series against Scotland and England followed by a five-ODI series against World Cup 2019 champions. In the absence of a rested Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh will be leading the young side. Warner has already been replaced by a young Jake Fraser-McGurk to whom he passed the baton in an Instagram post last month.
Australia ODI squad for England series:
Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
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