As pressure mounts on David Warner to maintain his place at the top of Australia’s Test cricket rankings, his wife Candice has made a cryptic post that could indicate the end is near.
Warner’s position is once again under scrutiny as he comes under scrutiny after he twice fell prey to Stuart Broad bowling within seven balls during Australia’s three-wicket Ashes loss at Headingley.
While Warner has shown promise over the past month with some decent starts and a half-century, he has yet to achieve the kind of substantial score that would solidify his position until his scheduled retirement in January.
This lack of significant contributions has cast doubt on his ability to maintain his spot at the top of Australia’s batting order.
Cricket Australia had previously announced a squad for the first three Tests of the Ashes series, and that squad would be reviewed for the final and deciding matches.
Candice and David Warner pose with their children Indi Rae, Ivy Mae and Isla Rose in Headingley after Australia fell short of victory against England in the third Ashes Test
Candice Warner and the family are on their way home and she posted this message that has led many to believe that husband David the batter may not be opening for much longer
Last drinks? Warner enjoys a cold beer with friends and family after Ashes’ loss at Headingley where he returned scores of 4 and 1 in the test loss
Injured spinner Nathan Lyon will be an omission and Warner is dangerously close to another.
A number of former Test cricket stars have called for Warner to make way and with all-rounder Cameron Green returning from injury, Mitch Marsh could be elevated to the top of the league table after scoring a century on his return to the Test side .
Speculation about Warner’s future has been further heightened by a message from his wife Candice following the Headingley test.
“It’s the end of an era for us touring test cricket, it’s been fun. Forever your biggest supporters and your girl gang. Love you @davidwarner31,” she posted on Instagram along with a family photo in Headingley.
Some took the post as a sign that Warner will retire from cricket early, despite intending to continue playing with an Australian swan song at home.
Good luck with retirement friend! fair play to announce that Matt Renshaw then has his chance at Old Trafford,” one follower wrote.
But Candice’s other followers were quick to point out that the post was about the family’s latest tour of England, not quitting cricket altogether.
“It’s not about retirement, she says this is her last trip with him for the overseas test series,” one follower wrote.
‘End of an era’ touring ‘not retiring,’ added another.
Australian selectors face a difficult decision.
They will have to choose between Marsh and Green for the upcoming Test match unless Warner is replaced and one of the all-rounders gets a chance to open the innings.
Green beat two stunning half-centuries by a whopping 214.54 against India as an opener in ODI cricket, while Marsh had success opening the batting for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Marsh stormed back into the Test team after a four-year absence and made a reckless 118 with the bat, but it was his skill with the ball that secured his place in the fourth Test.
Cummins and the Aussie selectors have tough decisions to make with one of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh or Cameron Green likely to miss the fourth test
Allrounder Green missed the third Ashes Test with a hamstring injury but is expected to be fully fit and available for selection in the fourth match of the series
Meanwhile, test skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that Warner’s place in the lineup is not guaranteed.
Cummins praised Marsh’s remarkable performance, adding that it would be incredibly challenging to overlook his contributions at Old Trafford, which could make Warner the odd one out.
“You keep all options open,” Cummins said.
“We’ve got nine or ten days now, so we’re taking a deep breath. We’re going away for a few days.
“But everyone comes back into it. Greeny should be fit for Manchester. Josh (Hazlewood) will be back too.
“So we should have a full roster and we’ll look at the wicket and have a chat and determine the best XI.”