Pressure is mounting on David Warner to decide his Test future after a stunning performance at the Gabba this week, with former Australian all-rounder Simon O’Donnell calling for the veteran to quit the five-day format.
Warner took scores of 0 and 3 during the series opener against South Africa in Brisbane as he failed to silence his critics after a disappointing 24 months in the Australian whites.
The left-hander has not scored a Test century since January 2020, averaging 26.07 with the bat since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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During a domestic summer where the teammates have already chipped away at several centuries, Warner is yet to reach a fifty in three Tests on Australian soil.
“I think he would think about it and maybe retire at the end of the Sydney Test,” O’Donnell said. DREAM Breakfast on Monday morning.
“We are not talking about David Warner in the last few innings, we are talking about David Warner in the last two years, he has not been the same player he was before.
“That suggests to me that if David has found form again, it won’t be for long.
First ball! Cops Warner Golden Duck | 00:57
“We’ve actually had a sample area for a long time where things haven’t been up to par.
“I just think it’s time.
Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada dismissed Warner for a golden duck in the first innings at the Gabba with a 133km/h bouncer aimed at his ribcage that caught at short leg.
The 36-year-old leapt into the air and clumsily thrust the bat at the Kookaburra, ducking his head and removing his left hand from the willow.
It was an uncharacteristically gentle dismissal that quickly drew comparisons to Ricky Ponting’s embarrassing belly-flop at Adelaide Oval in 2012, the moment that signaled his days as a Test cricketer were numbered.
“That first ball from Rabada in the first innings… not like Warner,” O’Donnell continued.
“He came out in that second kick – you could tell he was pumped up to the nth degree.
“He’s been up and around and look, he’s got a beauty, but again, I don’t think he’s where he wants to be.”
DAVID WARNER’S TEST BATTING AVERAGE OVER THE YEARS
2011 — 48.75
2012 — 43.77
2013 — 39.52
2015 — 63.11
2015 — 54.87
2016 — 41:55
2017 — 49.85
2018 — 39:00
2019 — 48:33
2021 — 38:37
2022 — 21.64
* At least 3 shifts
Ponting believes Warner deserves the chance to finish his Test career on his own terms and cautions whether the New South Welshman should make a decision ahead of next year’s India and England matches, where he averages 24.25 and 26.04.
“He’s a championship player – you never write off a championship player,” Ponting told Channel 7.
“He’s going through a slim trot now – we all want to see him score runs.
“When he’s done, he deserves to go to his term.” He was a great supporter of Australian cricket.
“That’s the biggest disappointment for David. He got that 20 and started against West Indies and didn’t go on when everyone else at the top made the most of weak West Indian sides.
“He deserves a chance to finish the way he wants to finish. I would hate to see him get on the India tour or the start of the Ashes tour and then get a tap on the shoulder.
“It would be a disappointing way to end his career.
“It could be after the Sydney test. Let’s wait and see. I also hope he gets some runs in between.”
However, said Warner’s manager James Erskine Age he has no plans to retire this summer, with India still firmly on the agenda.
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Speaking to reporters ahead of the Test in Brisbane, Australian coach Andrew McDonald claimed that Warner was still in the team’s plans for next year’s Border Gavaskar Trophy in the subcontinent.
“We’ll see what happens in the next three Test matches but he’s firmly in our thoughts at this stage,” McDonald said.
“He would like to continue at this stage.
“He didn’t indicate anything else. His appetite for work – in and around training – is still there. He is busy in the crease and you have seen signs that he is doing well. He just found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen.”
Chairman of the selectors George Bailey said Warner should not be judged for his performance against South Africa.
“I don’t know how much to read into this wicket or this game itself and say that all the batsmen on both sides are in good touch or bad,” Bailey said.
“Personally, I think there are escapes around the corner for him.
“…I still think he prepares as well as he can, looks fantastic in the nets. There is no doubt that he would like to get a few more runs and contribute more at the top of the order, but I firmly believe that will come.”
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon also backed Warner and urged the nation’s cricket fanbase to do the same.
“We all know the X-Factor of the cricketer that David Warner is and the type of batsman,” Lyon told reporters on Saturday.
“He’s got 100 per cent support from the dressing room and (it) should be the whole Australian public to be honest with you. Yes, he had a good sharp bounce today but that was a heck of a catch to hang on to. I expect David to step up and do wonderful things.’
The second Test between Australia and South Africa, which will also mark Warner’s 100th Test match, begins at the MCG on Boxing Day, with first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEDT.
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