Former Australian opener David Warner stated that he is ready to back down from his decision to retire from Test cricket in case Australia calls him to take up a vacant spot at top batting order for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. David had an impressive career in Test cricket, and has now expressed his willingness to participate in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match to showcase his eagerness.
“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,” Warner stated.
“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 added.
He also added that he had sent messages to 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’. I don’t think he wants to give me the pleasure of him saying, ‘can you come back?” he further added.
Warner spoke about him thinking how Australia can adjust their batting order and suggested that a traditional batter might not be needed to fill this position. However, he proposed that Marnus Labuschagne could take the opening role.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be an opener. I think you can have someone else come in and bat three, and Marnus could open. Is Nathan McSweeney a good enough player to come in and bat three? There are options,” he concluded.
