Australia coach McDonald BACKS David Warner to return to form amid miserable run

Manager Andrew McDonald has stated that David Warner remains firmly in Australia’s plans for the February tour of India, insisting that a lack of runs from the first match is not a cause for concern.

Warner will enter the Test series against South Africa on Saturday at the Gabba as the Australian under the most pressure, with their century-long drought dating back to January 2020.

The 36-year-old has indicated his desire to play red-ball cricket until at least the end of next year’s Ashes, having never won a Test series in India or England.

Andrew McDonald (left) has backed David Warner (right) to rediscover his form

Warner is averaging 23 in Test cricket this year.

He has a similar average (24.25) in two tours of India in 2013 and 2017, while he wrestled in the 2019 Ashes in England.

“At this stage, we have it in our plans for India,” McDonald said.

“We’ll see what happens in the next three Test matches, but at this stage it’s firmly in our thoughts for India.”

Warner hasn’t scored a century since hitting 111 not out against New Zealand in January 2020

Warner is set to play his 100th Test at the MCG on Boxing Day, and he admitted before the start of the summer that he knew he needed runs to keep up the pressure.

In four innings against the West Indies he made scores of five, 48, 21 and 28, while three times going on stump deflected balls.

But McDonald said there were no concerns about Warner’s ability to bounce back.

“His appetite for work, in and around training, is still there,” the coach said.

Warner is averaging 23 in Test cricket this year and his place in the team is under threat

‘He’s busy at the crease, and you’ve seen signs that he’s doing well.

‘He’s just found different ways to get out and sometimes that can happen. He is eager to continue at this stage, he has not hinted at anything else.

McDonald said he was prepared to give Warner time as questions circulate about whether the player finished at the top level or is simply going through a rough patch.

“If we keep picking him and he runs, then you know he’s back,” he said. And if you keep choosing him and he doesn’t, then he’s probably going downhill. It’s as simple as that.’

The veteran opener is averaging just over 24 in eight Tests in India, which Australia visit in February for a four-Test series.

McDonald insisted that Warner has not been distracted by the saga over his lifetime leadership ban.

Warner’s series against the West Indies coincided with frustration over the handling of the review of his lifetime lead ban, which blew up the night before the Adelaide Test.

Steve Smith admitted Sunday that he may have distracted Warner, but McDonald said the first game had always been able to put the drama aside.

“He’s great at compartmentalizing, separating what’s off the field from what’s on the field. Most great champions do that very well,” McDonald said.

‘I feel like this situation is no different.’