David Warner has sensationally declared he would backflip on his retirement and fill the void at the top of Australia’s Test batting order against India next month.
In a bizarre interview, the 37-year-old — who retired from Test cricket last summer and is regarded as one of the nation’s greatest openers — said he would even play in New South Wales’ next Sheffield Shield match to prove he was still ready.
Warner, who denied his comments were tongue-in-cheek in any way, said he was just as prepared as any batter in the country.
“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” he told News Corp on Tuesday.
“I’m always dead serious. Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game (first round of the shield) since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation.
“Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.
“I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish. (But) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that.”
Warner said he had even contacted men’s coach Andrew McDonald and chief selector George Bailey.
“I’ve cheekily messaged both. I’ve spoken to Torch (McDonald) and his answer back to me was; ‘you retired,’” he said.
“I don’t think he wants to give me the pleasure of him saying; ‘can you come back?’”
The 37-year-old called curtains on his decorated but controversial career after 112 tests and 26 centuries, going out with a farewell at his home ground of the SCG against Pakistan.
But with a back injury to Cam Green and Steve Smith set to end his experiment at the top of the order, the Aussies are again left with the hole Warner left behind.
Sam Konstas, 19, fired his name into discussions with back-to-back centuries for New South Wales in his opening Sheffield Shield game.
But Victoria’s Marcus Harris is the only one of a trio of regular contenders — including West Australian Cam Bancroft and Queenslander Matthew Renshaw — to reach triple figures, opening the season with a knock of 143 against Tasmania.
Warner, who scored 8786 with a best of 335 not out, also weighed in on the selection debate should his retirement prove permanent, saying he didn’t think the slot had to go to a traditional opener and floating Marnus Labuschagne moving from first drop.
“My take on it is I liked what they were thinking last year with the fact Greeny is in their best top six (so make the positions work around that),” Warner said.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be an opener. I think you can have someone else that can come in and bat three and Marnus (Labuschagne) could open.
“Is Nathan McSweeney (37 and 72 for South Australia) a good enough player to come in and bat 3?
“Konstas can definitely in time be that long-term opening batsman … and look there is every opportunity for him there to potentially do that, but I think you still have to see a little bit more.
“I think Will Pucovski was a much more complete cricketer than where Konstas is now and was a bit more of a stroke maker is now. But Konstas can definitely in time be that.”
Warner was speaking after being invited to a reception in Sydney for King Charles, alongside a number of other Sydney Thunder players.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/david-warner-sensationally-declares-he-would-backflip-on-test-cricket-retirement-to-fill-aussie-opener-void-c-16483239
