David Warner Test cricket suggestion eviscerated by everyone
There has been a swift and brutal reaction from all sides of cricket to David Warner’s suggestion of a baggy green comeback.
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It has taken less than a day for David Warner to get a response to his idea of a Test match comeback.
And in a nutshell, the barrage he has received makes England’s “Bodyline” tactic seem like a few throwdowns with a backyard tennis ball.
It all stems from Warner’s comment that his “hand is up” to open the batting against India in Australia’s home Test series starting next month.
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This is despite the fact the 37-year-old finally retired from the Test arena in January — already far too late in the eyes of many — and has only played T20 cricket since.
While the aggressive bowling tactic known as Bodyline was introduced in 1932 in an effort to limit Don Bradman, Warner has been the subject of another brutal attack from all corners of cricket in barely 24 hours since he uttered those comments.
“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner told News Corp, in an apparent message to selectors.
Asked if he was being genuine, Warner replied: “I’m always dead serious.”
Warner, who turns 38 on October 27, went on to say he would play the next Shield match for the Blues as a warm-up to indicate he was in fact being deadly serious.
The issue is no one else seemingly has any interest in taking that suggestion seriously.
That was summarised by leading commentator Gerard Whateley, who wrote in a column for SEN on Wednesday: “Do you think we could find the one person this morning who thinks this is a good idea?”
In a stinging article, Whateley also wrote: “At once surprising and not the least bit surprising, Dave Warner thinks he’s the answer.
“Warner not only said it … he’s been texting the chief selector and the coach. The lack of awareness is breathtaking.
“Australia indulged Warner too long, ignoring the urgent need for succession.
“And now that the successor is proving difficult to identify Warner thinks he’s the solution.
“Could you imagine?”
Personally, Gerard, no, we can’t imagine, although it’s not that much of a shock considering who it came from.
Peter Lalor, the respected cricket writer and commentator, was even more blunt in his assessment of Warner’s idea.
“I’ve had my head in my hands all morning,” he said on SEN.
“This is a drive-by shooting from a bloke in a clown car.
“Go away, David, we’ve had enough. It’s not your time.”
It’s strong, but we couldn’t agree more.
Fellow cricket scribe Daniel Brettig also wrote a column for The Age which included the headline: “Nobody wants this.”
He went on to describe Warner “fatigue”.
Australian cricket hasn’t always got succession planning right.
It can be too easy to don the proverbial tinted glasses to hide misty eyes while hoping the cricket greats we’ve all adored can squeeze one more great performance out of their sore, tired bodies.
While it has worked on occasion — former captains Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor spring to mind as greats who produced career-saving, backs-against-the-wall tons against England — there are far more examples of players retaining their baggy greens for a touch too long.
The lack of a clear replacement for Warner certainly helped him stretch his Test career to a lofty 112 appearances.
That remains the case today, sadly, with a number of past and emerging names jockeying for the vacant spot alongside Usman Khawaja for the looming Test match summer.
Players that have had a chance, such as Cam Bancroft, Matt Renshaw or Marcus Harris, remain out of favour.
Renshaw is only 28 and was part of the touring party for last year’s Ashes series, but hasn’t shown the form to force the selectors’ hands.
Untried options likes teenager Sam Konstas or in-form wicketkeeper/batsman Josh Inglis appear to be in the mix.
Others have mooted utilising players already in the team, with the Steve Smith opening experiment now complete.
Names like Mitch Marsh and Travis Head have been suggested, again met with only mild enthusiasm at best.
But surely any of those options above is preferred over a backwards move with Warner.
The once-intimidating opener who smashed close to 9000 Test runs and holds some worthy records had a sensational and successful run in the team.
But those thick outside edges flying to slips became more commonplace than his crunching cover drives in his waning years.
Wicketkeeping great Ian Healey was asked on SEN: “Does Australia need David Warner?”
He replied succinctly: “No.”
Surely, we can all agree on that.
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