Dave Warner’s plans for a home Test farewell not locked in yet

Six months after Dave Warner announced his own plans for a farewell SCG Test match, Pat Cummins has hit the brakes.

Eyebrows were raised when Dave Warner declared back in June this year his intentions to farewell Test match cricket at next year’s SCG Test against Pakistan.

Australia has three Tests against Pakistan to start the summer before a two-Test series with the West Indies in late January.

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Warner averaged in the mid-20s for around 18 months, since his double century in the 2022 Boxing Day Test, and showed that form was enduring after producing just 285 runs at 28.5 in the ensuing Ashes campaign in England.

That left him the 12th best batter overall for the series, with a high score of 66.

Warner is hoping to finish his Test career on his own terms. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Having just turned 37 last month, Warner contributed without starring in Australia’s One-Day World Cup victory.

Skipper Pat Cummins stopped short of locking Warner in for the summer ahead, stating red-ball form will be assessed before the side is picked for the first Test against Pakistan in Perth starting December 14.

“The team is not picked yet,” Cummins said. “The selectors will pick it after this (Sheffield) Shield round.

“So we’ll wait and see.”

Matt Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris have all had opportunities atop the order and remain in contention.

Bancroft led the Shield in runs with an average just below 60 in the 2022/23 season and again tops the standings so far this season, hitting two tons and three 50s through six matches for an average of 63.12.

Pat Cummins (left) has been pleased with Warner’s form. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Another mooted option is shifting Marnus Labuschagne up the order, with the likes of Mitch Marsh and Cam Green vying for an all-rounder role.

All signs do still point to Warner opening the batting in Perth next month and Cummins spoke glowingly of the veteran’s form.

“It can’t hurt (being in form). Any player’s a better player when they’re going in with confidence to the game,” he said.

“I thought he was brilliant this World Cup, like he has been with the white ball for a long period of time.

“Again, he wasn’t just playing for himself out there, he’d go and take the game on, be brave, put it back on the opposition.

“I think he’s hitting the ball beautifully at the moment.”