David Warner says bringing Usman Khawaja back into the Test team could spell a worst-case scenario for England, given it would allow a dangerous Travis Head to revert to No.5.
Warner on Friday endorsed Matt Renshaw as Australia’s next long-term opener, but insisted Khawaja deserved a chance to return to the team in Adelaide.
Khawaja’s role remains the biggest question for the hosts ahead of Wednesday’s third Test, where they can take a 3-0 lead and wrap up the series next week.
The Test veteran, who will turn 39 on day two in Adelaide, has overcome back spasms to be fit after being spotted batting freely in Brisbane this week.
In Khawaja’s injury-enforced absence at the top, Head hit a heroic fourth-innings century in Perth before scores of 33 and 22 at the Gabba.
Warner has been vocal in his views Khawaja deserves to return and Australia would be best served with specialist openers at the top.
But he is also insistent the benefit could be two-fold for Australia, given Head is one of the world’s best rear-guard batters.
Eight of Head’s 10 Test centuries have come while batting at No.5, with the majority of those coming when Australia were in trouble at 3-80 or worse off.
“I think Uzzy comes back in, slides to the top and Trav goes down,” Warner said, as he prepared to return for the Sydney Thunder in the BBL.
“That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head going back down the order.
“At the end of the day Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in. He came out and batted in the way Travis Head does.
“You see plenty of interviews from Trav saying that is Uzzy’s spot, and if when the time comes they ask him to go up the order, he wouldn’t mind to do that.”
Khawaja has not made a definitive call on his future but has made just two scores above 50 in his past 27 Test innings, heaping the spotlight on his role.
Warner said he had been in regular contact with Khawaja and his childhood friend and long-time opening partner was handling the situation well.
He himself had a protracted farewell, identifying a Sydney retirement against Pakistan in 2024 some six months ahead of time.
“At the end of the day having been in that situation you still have to score runs,” Warner said.
“You will deserve (the dream farewell) if you score runs and then the selectors stick by you.
“It’s not by chance he’s in this position now. He is 38 years of age, he knows what’s required.”
Regardless of when Khawaja goes, selectors will need to make another call at the top soon with Australia’s next Tests after the Ashes against Bangladesh in August.
After dithering on Warner’s replacement for two years, Jake Weatherald now looks the most likely to take the chance after his start to the Ashes.
Warner said he could support the idea of Head being given the opportunity to try and make a full-time move to opener after Khawaja does go.
But he also likes Renshaw, who is vying for a spot against the likes of Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway.
“What I will say to George Bailey and the selectors is to show faith in 31-year-old Jake Weatherald,” Warner, who is Australia’s most prolific ever Test opener, said.
“I think experience is key … you still need that senior figure in a way.
“But moving forward, Renshaw could be one. I think he’ll slide straight back in there. He’s had a taste of Test cricket.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/englands-worst-case-scenario-is-head-at-no5-warner-c-20978440
