Former Test star Greg Blewett responds to David Warner’s ‘self-absorbed’ comeback call

David Warner’s offer to end his international retirement hasn’t gone down well with everyone in Australian cricket – Greg Blewett gave the potential comeback kid both barrels.

Former Test star Greg Blewett has teed off on David Warner over the retired champion’s mooted comeback against India this summer.

With Australia seemingly no closer to nailing down Warner’s replacement alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, the 37-year-old told News Corp he would volunteer to come out of retirement if called upon.

Warner acknowledged his offer was long odds to be taken up by selectors, who are mulling over whether to promote 19-year-old Sam Konstas or return to the likes of Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw or Cameron Bancroft.

But Blewett, who played 46 Tests for Australia, was in no mood to entertain a return.

“I’ve never heard so much garbage in my life. It’s self-absorbed,” Blewett said on Triple M, before pointing to Warner’s modest record in the final years of his career.

Greg Blewett thinks David Warner should stay retired. Picture: AAP

“His last 23 Test matches for Australia he was just average. It’s not like he was making run after run after run. He was playing some bloody average cricket and that’s why he was retired.”

Blewett suggested Konstas, or fellow uncapped duo Josh Inglis (29) and Nathan McSweeney (25), were more deserving of a call-up this summer as Australian selectors attempt to inject new blood into the team.

“Now he’s putting his hand up saying ‘I want to be the saviour’. Let someone else have a go,” Blewett added.

“Young Sam Konstas is going to be very, very good if they give him the opportunity. Josh Inglis might get an opportunity out of the blue, Nathan McSweeney might get a job as well.

“We’ve moved past David Warner. Stay retired.”

– Joe Barton

Warner retired last summer, but said he would always put his hand up if selcetors called. Picture: Getty

MARNUS RESPONDS TO WARNER’S OPENER CALL

by Robert Craddock

Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia if the selectors want him to – but senses they are looking elsewhere.

The Great Opening Debate over the vacant spot in Australia’s Test team is more clouded than ever after two rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket.

David Warner has suggested experienced number three Labuschagne should be an option to open for the first Test against India with South Australia’s impressive Nathan McSweeney an option at number three.

Labuschagne is clearly happy where he at three is but knows the team comes first.

“Currently, I would say I’ve played my career at number three has been relatively successful,’’ Labuschagne said after Queensland’s 129 run loss to South Australia at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field.

Queensland were bowled out for 229 with the improving Jack Clayton making 91 and unsung seamer Nathan McAndrew taking 5-38.

Do you think Marnus Labuschagne should open this summer? Picture: Getty Images

“Hopefully it should be more successful but that’s where I’ve batted, and if they think that I should move and that’s best for the team, and that’s what will happen.

“But at this stage, I think they’ve made it pretty clear that they’re gonna look down the opener route, or someone’s gonna fill the number one or two spot. Who that is? That’s anyone’s guess.

'I don't think I've ever seen that!'

Marnus Labuschagne as #SheffieldShield captain is an experience 😂

Watch his full (and very entertaining) three-over spell from day one at the WACA: https://t.co/5oPc5eu6Jnpic.twitter.com/OCE2vNcxKR

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 9, 2024

“You work out what’s best for Australia and where the gap is. At this stage it looks like it is the opening spot. Travis Head is good at five, Steve Smith the best ever at four, I have been all right at three. Mitch Marsh in his comeback has been very good at six. Alex Carey is on fire (at seven).

“I am going to do what is best for the team but at this stage it looks as if that (a specialist opener) is the way we are going to go.’’

Marnus Labuschagne has had an average start to the Shield season. Picture: Getty Images

Labuschagne smiled when asked for his reaction to Warner’s offer to return to the Test side to help Australia in its hour of need.

“I laughed because I don’t know if he is being serious – he is always joking and it is hard to tell with Cannon (Warner) but I mean, he is a phenomenal player. That’s out of my scope. I don’t know what to make of that.’’

Australia has abandoned the experiment of Steve Smith at opener – he will return to four – and Smith said Labuschagne had urged him to make the switch back.

“I think one of the best players in Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in … it is a pretty simple fix. Cameron Green is injured so why not have the person who has done best for Australia in this position.’’

Labuschagne bowled 27 overs of medium pace in the match but said he was in no way auditioning for the role of Test match allrounder.

“I just try and help the team out where we can. We had injuries and no all-rounder. That is all it is.’’

Originally published as Former Test star Greg Blewett responds to David Warner’s ‘self-absorbed’ comeback call