Has David Warner found permanent opening partner in Cameron Bancroft?

DAVID Warner has had six opening partners throughout his career but has he found a permanent one in Cameron Bancroft after the pair’s dismantling of England at the Gabba.

Davis Warner (R) celebrates with Cameron Bancroft.

DAVID Warner and Cameron Bancroft’s schooling of England could be the start of a bold new combination for Australia.

Run machine Warner has had six opening partners throughout his Test career, but there were signs at the Gabba that he and Bancroft have the potential to become a great pairing.

The 173 runs they piled on to steer the hosts to a bruising 10-wicket triumph early on day five ranks as the second highest opening stand for the fourth innings in Australian Test history.

Davis Warner (R) celebrates with Cameron Bancroft.

They made a potentially tricky target look like cannon fodder.

Both men are tough and uncompromising and their right-hand, left-hand combination appeared to flow like clockwork as a duo.

Australia have not had a truly iconic opening pair since Matt Hayden and Justin Langer, but there were signs in this memorable Ashes Test that Warner and Bancroft share an X-factor ingredient.

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Warner (87 not out) thrived on the chance to verbally bait England over the Jonny Bairstow headbutt drama, almost notching a hundred.

Bancroft was on the receiving end of Bairstow’s Liverpool Kiss, and therefore at the centre of a storm, but he brushed the spotlight aside and fired from both cylinders to post 82 not out.

Australian captain Steve Smith said his new opening pair had made a huge statement.

“They were magnificent. Cam was obviously disappointed first innings to miss out but the way he came out in the second innings, he had really good plans, he left really well, played nice and straight and put the loose ball away,” said Smith.

“Obviously Dave was playing his nice, free-flowing game at the other end. I thought they played particularly well and to get a 10-wicket win is very satisfying.”

The Australians wore black armbands to honour Phillip Hughes, who tragically passed away three years ago to the day.

Warner looked to the heavens upon reaching 63 not out on Monday – the score Hughes was on when he was struck at the SCG on that fateful day.

It was a subtle tribute to a giant of the dressingroom.

“He’s remembering his mate,” said Mark Taylor in commentary on Channel 9.

Originally published as Has David Warner found permanent opening partner in Cameron Bancroft?