‘Not going to happen’: Candice slams Test return door in David Warner’s face

Candice Warner has put a full stop on the David Warner Test return saga after casting more light on the retired star’s mindset.

Candice Warner has drawn a line under the David Warner Test return comments but admitted “if he genuinely didn’t think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn’t have said that”.

Warner set a cat among the pigeons last week, revealing to News Corp he is “always available” for selection for Australia as the selectors battle try to work out who will replace him at the top of the order.

He even went so far as revealing he’d “cheekily messaged both” coach Andrew McDonald and chief selector George Bailey.

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With the suggestion grabbed headlines throughout the week, the Australian team laughed off the suggestions with claims it was all just a joke.

But speaking on Fox Sports’ The Back Page, Candice said she was sure that her husband believed he was still up to the job if the selectors wanted him.

“I just got him home a little bit more and I’m thinking, what the hell? What’s going on now?” Candice laughed.

“He’s very passionate about playing for Australia and I think if George Bailey, the selector, or Andrew McDonald, the coach, picked up the phone and said ‘we need you’, he would jump at it. And of course we would support him.

“But no, it’s definitely not going to happen.”

Panellist and comedian Lawrence Mooney added: “That sounds like it was said behind closed doors, ‘It’s not going to happen — David, put the washing machine on’.”

Candice Warner has opened up on her husband's comments. Photo: Fox Sports

But Candice continued: “I think if he genuinely didn’t think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn’t have said that but that’s not any disrespect to any of the openers or people,” Candice said.

“If he was to have gone down that path to play again, he would have had to have done it just like everyone else. Play Sheffield Shield and everything like that.

“But it’s not happening. And lets just end the discussion here.”

Asked if it was David floating a potential comeback or him just answering a question, Candice said: “He was answering a question and then people run with it.

“I think there were some really clever comments. Tim Paine said it right, ‘if you know David, he is a joker’.

“He does throw things out there and people take the bait. And people took it really well.”

The original report came after Warner was interviewed after meeting King Charles in Sydney last Thursday.

While it was initially thrown out there by Warner, the 112-Test veteran was then probed further, doubling down on the call.

“I’m always dead serious,” Warner said. “Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game 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.”

David Warner will have to stick with the BBL. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The comments definitely sparked debate, particularly as Australia has not yet anointed a successor as it was confirmed that Steve Smith would move back down the order to No. 4 after a largely unsuccessful stint partnering Usman Khawaja against the new ball.

With the likes of NSW teenager Sam Konstas, Western Australian veteran Cameron Bancroft and Victoria’s Marcus Harris in the mix, as well as names such as South Australian skipper Nathan McSweeney and WA wicketkeeper Josh Inglis all suggested for the vacant slot, it will be a big call for selectors.

But Warner’s comments were quickly laughed off by his former teammates.

Former Aussie captain Tim Paine suggested Warner had “gone fishing”.

“They have taken the bait. David is retired. He will not be playing in the next Sheffield Shield game or any more Test cricket for Australia. That is clear when he retired,” Paine said.

“What he has got is having the great knacks of saying something and people just biting down on it. Well done to him, he has played everyone beautifully. He says he is dead serious, but he is not.

“Everyone continues to bite on it. He has a great knack of creating news, that is what he has signed on to Fox Sports. He will be great in the commentary box.”

Bailey also poured cold water on Warner’s call.

“I was firmly in the camp of assuming he was making those comments in jest,” he said.

“There were some who clearly took them very seriously and some that took them as David intended with tongue firmly in cheek.”

Pat Cummins even took the opportunity to make a cheeky swipe back at Warner.

“I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. He was like, ‘what do you think?’,” Cummins said.

“I’m like, ‘yeah good luck for the (Sydney) Thunder this year. And I look forward to your comments on Fox.”

But why did he need to say it at all? Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

It was a big week for Warner as his comments overshadowed the lifting of his leadership ban with potential for the 38-year-old to captain the Thunder in the BBL this season.

Warner received the lifetime ban for his role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa, but the sanctions were lifted by an independent three-member review panel who deemed the swashbuckling opener had met the necessary criteria.

Candice said the decision was “the right time and it’s really appropriate”.

“He has been leading. He hasn’t had the ‘c’ on his name but he’s always had a leadership role,” she said.

“He’s been captaining sides all around the world whether it be in Dubai or in India and Canada and all these other places.

“So, he has leadership qualities and I’m sure if he gets tapped on the shoulder and asked ‘would you like to captain the Thunder?’, he would love that.”

Originally published as ‘Not going to happen’: Candice slams Test return door in David Warner’s face