- David Warner has not been promised a farewell from Sydney
- Warner wants to leave Test cricket on his own terms
- But George Bailey says he has to earn his place in the team
David Warner has not been promised a fairytale Sydney swan song, with Australian selector George Bailey telling the opener he must earn his place in the team for the SCG Test.
Warner, 37, wants to leave Test cricket on his own terms this summer after an illustrious batting career for his country, but some critics believe he should not be afforded that right given his woeful recent form.
Blessed with a handful of young, in-form options, some fans feel this summer is the right time to move in a new direction with the World Test Champions.
Warner has been selected for the opening Test against Pakistan, but selector Bailey says this is no guarantee he will play all summer.
“We still think he is one of our best 11 players to win the first Test,” Bailey told reporters on Sunday afternoon.
David Warner's pension plan has suffered a serious blow ahead of the Test summer
Warner wants to leave on his own terms, but his form is a concern
'We believe David is the right person for this Test.
“It's clear Dave is keen to get through the series and finish in Sydney and we fully respect that.
“We've been pretty consistent with the fact that every player is about how he or she performs as an individual, and how that performance actually fits into the function of the team, and that won't change.
“We have the advantage of having a home Test series and being able to appoint a team Test by Test. And not specifically for Dave, but I think for all players it's about performance and how that fits into the team that will determine the composition of a squad in a particular Test.”
Bailey said it would be impossible to replace Warner as opener, compared to when leg-spinner Shane Warne retired.
“I would put David in that category because he has opened the batting for Australia for so long,” Bailey said.
Mitchell Johnson led the criticism over Warner's inclusion in the team, lashing out at Warner in his Western Australian column. He also had a shot at Bailey in his motorcade, which caused a cold reaction.
“I got little snippets of it, I hope he's doing well,” Bailey said.
Johnson criticized Bailey for being too close to the players as a selector.
“My only question would be… if anyone can show me how detached and oblivious to what players are going through and what the plans are with their team and coaching staff, how that would be more beneficial, I would be all ears. Bailey said.
Australian selector George Bailey says Warner must earn his place in the team
Johnson's attack on Warner comes two years after he attacked Pat Cummins in his column in the same newspaper, amid the fallout from Justin Langer's departure as Australian coach.
The 42-year-old's relationship with his fast bowling brothers Cummins and Mitchell Starc has not been the same since.
Johnson took 313 wickets in 73 Tests for Australia and retired in November 2015