Australian coach Andrew McDonald is adamant David Warner is firmly in his plans for the tour of India, the Ashes and the World Test Championship Final despite a lean run of form.
Warner will bring up his 100th Test on Boxing Day, but hasn’t reached triple figures since the SCG Test against New Zealand back in January of 2020 and has reached 50 just once in his last 10 innings.
Warner managed scores of 5, 48, 21 and 28 against a below par West Indies outfit and the mode of his dismissals was concerning with his lack of foot movement outside the off stump.
Watch Australia v South Africa. Every test match live and ad-break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NEW FOLLOW-ON PODCAST – Ultimate test series preview; summer of Smudge?
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
SACA urged to investigate Warner abuse | 00:51
Three of his four dismissals saw him reaching for deliveries he didn’t need to play at, chopping on twice and edging another to the wicketkeeper.
His lack of footwork sparked fears he could be on the decline in the Test format, which requires intense concentration, compact batting and consistent footwork to be successful.
However, McDonald backed up Steve Smith’s recent support for Warner and has him in his plans for Australia’s Test match fixtures in 2023.
“Not at this stage,” McDonald told reporters in Adelaide when asked if holds concerns for Warner’s future in the side.
“His appetite for the work, in and around training is still there.
“He’s busy at the crease, and you’ve seen signs that he is going well.
“He’s just found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen.
“He’s eager to continue on at this stage, he hasn’t hinted anything else.
MORE CRICKET NEWS
SOFT TO UNSTOPPABLE: Starc’s rise to cricket royalty… $10m sacrifice that sealed it
CRASH: Freddie Flintoff airlifted to hospital after terrifying crash on Top Gear
THUNDER VS STARS: Sydney star’s ‘miracle’ display as sub almost steals the show
‘FANS ARE OFF HIM’: Clarke calls for SA to sledge Warner over ‘sandpapergate’
“We are building towards a World Test Championship (final), and he wants to be part of that so that’s a clear focus for us and we’ve got South Africa as a part of that and then on to India (for four Tests in February-March next year).
“So there’s no indication of anything else at the moment.”
Warner has a strong record against South Africa, who Australia face in a three-Test series starting on Saturday, averaging 52.26 from 12 matches against the Proteas.
However, his poor record in India and England has placed doubts around his suitability to open on those tours in 2023.
In India, Warner averages 24.25 in 16 innings with three half centuries and a top score of 71, while in England he has hit 651 runs at 26.04 with four fifties and a top score of 85.
Get all the latest cricket news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
But McDonald noted Warner is not the only Australian batsman to struggle in those conditions and backed Warner to turn his form around in the three-Test series against South Africa.
“At this stage, we’ve got him in our plans for India,” McDonald said of Warner.
“We’ll see what happens in the next three Test matches, but at this stage he’s firmly in our thoughts.
“There’s been some challenging conditions in India … (and) there’s no doubt we’re going to be challenged there, but first and foremost we’ve got South Africa (and) navigate through that.”
At 36, Warner is pushing the envelope for Test openers with just 19 other players opening for Australia in the last 145 years past that age milestone.
Watch BBLI12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Gilly’s heartfelt tribute to Roy & Warne | 03:36
Just eight of those 20 players have averaged above 30 passed their 36th birthday, the most recent being Chris Rogers, who scored 1,629 runs at 45.25 in 37 innings after turning 36.
However, Warner’s batting partner Usman Khawaja turns 36 in Brisbane and has plundered 1,066 runs at an average of 82, including four centuries since turning 35.
McDonald believes Warner’s performances and not his age will be the key factor in determining how long he plays Test cricket for.
“If you keep picking him and he makes runs, then you know he’s back,” McDonald said.
“And if you keep picking him and he doesn’t, then he’s probably on the fade. I think it’s as simple as that.”
Adding to conjecture surrounding Warner’s form and future is the off-field distractions surrounding his decision to withdraw his appeal over his leadership ban.
CRAZIEST last over in BBL history?! | 01:31
However, McDonald is confident that Warner is able to separate outside noise from his on-field performances, as he has shown since the ball tampering scandal in 2018.
“I think he’s shown in the past that he can move forward pretty quick,” McDonald said.
“He’s great at compartmentalising, separating the off-field from the on-field and I think most of the great champions do that very well. I sense this situation is not different.
“We respect and understand David’s decision to withdraw from that appeals process.
“He’s moved forward, we’re moving forward as a team and we’ve got a seriously good opponent confronting us at the Gabba so our focus is firmly on that. And so is David’s.”
Still, Warner can’t play Test matches forever and father time is undefeated, so it remains to be seen if age will catch up with him.
Cricket is a numbers game and batsman are picked on producing runs, so as McDonald said, the time has come for Warner to put up those numbers if he wants to ensure his future in the team.
