‘Bugger me’: Ex-Aussie selector slams Warner for suggesting his own replacement

A former Australian selector has taken aim at David Warner after the retiring opener suggested one player should replace him in the Test team.

Former Australian selector Jamie Cox has criticised David Warner for suggesting Marcus Harris replace him as Test opener.

Warner scored 38 in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test and is set to retire with a home ground farewell at the New Year’s SCG Test.

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The question of the cricket summer is who will the selectors choose to replace the 37-year-old at the top of the order going forward.

Speaking after play on Day 1, Warner called for Harris to be given first crack after his departure in the two-Test series against the West Indies.

“It is a tough one (and) it is obviously up to the selectors,” he said.

“But from my position, I feel like the person who has worked their backside off and has been there for a while in the background (is Harris). Harry’s been that person who has toured (and) he scored that 100 the other day and missed out in another couple of games but he’s always been the person who’s next in line.

“So if the selectors show their faith in him, then I’m sure he’ll come out and play the way he does. You know, he’s not too dissimilar to me.”

David Warner had his say on who should replace him. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Harris, 31, has a national contract but is one of several candidates including Matthew Renshaw and Sheffield Shield runs leader Cameron Bancroft.

Mark Waugh has floated the idea of Cameron Green being elevated to opener, while Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch March have stated their preference to remain down the order.

Harris has an average of 25.29 from 14 Tests and scored a century against Pakistan in a trial game last weekend, while Renshaw scored a ton for the Prime Minister’s XI earlier this month.

Cox, who was an Australian selector between 2006 and 2011, didn’t approve of Warner publicly anointing his choice of successor.

“Well bugger me - another modern first!” Cox tweeted.

“I have never heard of a current player anointing their successor. What’s wrong with ‘that’s a question for George Bailey not me’? I need a lie down…!”

Marcus Harris hasn’t exactly lit the Test arena on fire. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Speaking to Fox Cricket on Boxing Day, Warner urged selectors to pick a similarly aggressive player as his replacement and hopes “they’re given a good crack” at the top of the order.

Warner said: “I think it’s important and I think the selectors will continue to do this — we’ve got players like Travis Head, you’ve got Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green — guys who actually like going after the ball.

“How are we going to find these kids coming through? You’re going to find them through the Big Bash. It’s going to be a gutsy call to put someone out there in the middle, a bit like what they did with me, and experiment.

“I just hope that when they do, that person gets their chance, they’re given a good crack and it doesn’t chop and change.”