The King’s return? David Warner’s shock call on Test SOS

Dave Warner has sensationally declared his status should selectors send an SOS to the former Test opener for the upcoming series against India. Find out what he said, here.

David Warner has declared he would answer an SOS from selectors to fill the void at the top of Australia’s Test batting order against India this summer.

The champion opener, who retired from Test cricket last summer, said he would even be prepared to play the next Sheffield Shield match for NSW in readiness for a spectacular comeback if selectors decided to make the call.

“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner, who turns 38 next week, told this masthead after meeting King Charles in Sydney on Tuesday.

Asked if it was a tongue in cheek comment or if he was serious, Warner said:

“I’m always dead serious. Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game (first round of the Sheffield Shield) since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation,” Warner said.

“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.

David Warner walks off for his last Test match for Australia. Picture: Getty Images

“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.”

The puzzle of finding a new opener for this summer’s blockbuster against India kicking off in Perth on November 22 is only deepening by the day, with leading opening contenders Marcus Harris (26 and 16), Nic Maddinson (19 and 15), Cameron Bancroft (8), Matthew Renshaw (2) and 19-year-old NSW whiz Sam Konstas (2 and 43) so far unable to slam dunk their opportunities in the Shield.

This is after Australia back flipped on a decision to shift Steve Smith up to open the batting, after the batting great had put his hand up to do so.

Warner invited King Charles to bowl to him at a reception in Sydney on Tuesday attended by Sydney Thunder players which included female captain and Indigenous leader Hannah Darlington.

“I asked him if he wanted to have a bowl to me. I said jokingly, he can’t do any worse than John Howard,” Warner said.

“And basically he had a laugh and goes, “I’ll make a fool of myself.”

Warner has spoken to selectors about his offer to come out of retirement, and George Bailey and coach Andrew McDonald have so far been as unmoved as the King.

“I’ve cheekily messaged both. I’ve spoken to Torch (McDonald) and his answer back to me was; ‘you retired,’” Warner laughed.

“I don’t think he wants to give me the pleasure of him saying; ‘can you come back?’”

If selectors don’t change their mind and issue an SOS for the left-hander with 26 Test centuries, Warner believes the panel should seriously consider picking a non-opener – if they deem that person to be the next best batsman in Australia.

“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.

Could we see David Warner return to the Aussie side? Picture: Getty Images

“Is Nathan McSweeney (37 and 72 for South Australia) a good enough player to come in and bat 3?”

Warner is a fan of young NSW opener Konstas but wonders if throwing him in against the Indian attack now might be too soon in his development.

“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,” Warner said.

“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.”

Originally published as The King’s return? David Warner’s shock call on Test SOS