- Warner opened the at bat with Chris Rogers
- The 37-year-old has offered to retire
One of David Warner’s ex-teammates has reacted brazenly to his offer to come out of retirement and open the batting for Australia in the upcoming Test series against India.
Warner, who turns 38 next week and will appear on the Fox Sports commentary box this summer, declared he was “always available” and confirmed he had texted Australian coach Andrew McDonald offering to return.
Selectors must find a new opening partner for Usman Khawaja in Steve Smith, who filled the gap for four Tests after Warner’s retirement last summer, who would resume his position at number four where he averages above 60.
But the prospect of the combative opener’s return to the team after his farewell test in January was not met with enthusiasm.
“I think Davey is Davey and he’s looking for a response,” Warner’s former hitting partner Chris Rogers said Wednesday.
‘I had to laugh. I thought to myself that maybe I should come to this press conference and say, “I’m ready to go.”
‘But then I saw Mitch Starc bowling [in the Sheffield Shield] and I thought it had no chance.”
Rogers’ wide side – which he delivered with a laugh – comes after legendary Australian Test keeper Ian Healy said he would offer a firm ‘No’ to Warner’s offer.
David Warner’s offer to retire amid Australia’s summit crisis was less than enthusiastically received
Warner’s former opening partner Chris Rogers (pictured together) burst out laughing when asked about the 37-year-old’s retirement backflip
Australian cricket pundits are also scathing about Warner’s stellar offer.
“This is a drive-by shooting of a guy in a clown car,” journalist Peter Lalor said on SEN radio.
‘Go away, David, we’ve had enough. It’s not your time.’
Journalist Gerard Whateley did not hesitate to give his opinion on this in a column for SEN.
Warner said he was dead serious about returning to the Test team if asked
“The lack of awareness is breathtaking,” Whateley wrote.
“Australia has spoiled Warner for too long and ignored the urgent need for succession. And now that the successor is proving difficult to identify, Warner thinks he is the solution. Can you imagine it?
“Do you think we can find that one person this morning who thinks this is a good idea?”
The first Test against India in Perth starts on November 22.