But even Marcus Harris,the reserve batter with the most to gain from Warner’s exit,believes his fellow left-hander will be retained for the vital match in Manchester,on the basis that he and Usman Khawaja have formed an effective opening combination on this tour.
David Warner after his second innings dismissal at Headingley.Reuters
Family time in Europe allowed Warner some time away from the cauldron of an engrossing Ashes series,and the perspective of that time may aid his retention for a match in which Australia can seal their first Test series win in England since 2001.
Warner has batted in difficult conditions in most matches. But there was concern at how rapidly he was defeated by Stuart Broad in each innings on a pacier surface at Headingley,since the pitch in Manchester is customarily one of the quicker and truer pitches in England.
A similar pair of brief innings may force change on the selectors for the final Test at the Oval,particularly if the fate of the Ashes is still in doubt.
“Davey’s obviously a bit of a lightning rod for opinion,” Harris said. “But I think they’ve done really well – as an opening partnership when you can get the team off to a good start.
“Even if you’re not getting the big runs that you want to get,if you can still contribute to the team in some way,shape or form,I think you’re doing a job. But that’s coming from an opening batter,so I’m probably biased towards that.”
Other than recalling Harris,the most sensible reconfiguration of the Australian batting order would be to promote Marnus Labuschagne to open alongside Usman Khawaja. That move would allow the likes of Travis Head and Mitch Marsh to remain in destructive middle order roles,while Steve Smith or Cameron Green have the capacity to bat at three.
If not dropping Warner,the selectors may instead leave out the spinner Todd Murphy in order to make room for Green to return alongside Marsh,following the latter’s storming first innings century and contributions with the ball in Leeds.
The veteran opener's spot in the Test team is under scrutiny after a poor run of form
Warner’s future has been a matter of constant conversations between him and the selectors for some months. He was close to the end of the line last summer before,and was again near the cut before the Ashes,only to contribute soundly to the at the Oval.
Other matters to consider include Warner’s status as an essential member of the white-ball squad ahead of world cups in India (ODIs) and the United States and Caribbean (Twenty20) over the next 12 months.
Warner is also entering the second of a two-year deal with the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League,. Curiously,he will this summer be joined by Cameron Bancroft,who has signed from Perth.
Josh Hazlewood is certain to be recalled in place of Scott Boland,having bowled soundly in a Friday training session at the Sale Cricket Club. Ben Duckett,who has proven an awkward customer for Australia so far,is adamant that the tourists have erred by gifting singles to him and Zak Crawley by posting outfield sweepers at the start of an innings.
“We’re both on the same wavelength,both looking to get the team off to a flier,” Duckett toldThe Guardian.
“And Australia have had sweepers out and it’s nice,you can always rotate the strike,knowing the board is ticking over. In that respect I think the Australians have got it wrong,they’re not building pressure.”
Duckett’s view of Australia’s tactics contrasts with how he has seen the conduct of the series,stating that Pat Cummins’ team have behaved in an exemplary fashion on the field.
England,in letting local crowds say more or less what they like,have not needed to say much themselves. Duckett noted that Alex Carey in particular seemed to be affected by the intensity of the abuse being directed his way at Headingley.
“My view on the Australian team is that they’re a very,very good team,” Duckett said.
“But they’re a bunch of nice guys. Pat Cummins seems like one of the nicest blokes in cricket. If I bowled 90mph (145kmph) like him I’d give the batter a lot more chat.
“But it doesn’t feel like they’re trying to intimidate anyone out there,they’re just focusing on their skills. It’s nice.
“The home crowd is a big thing for us. When Carey came out to bat last week,normally as a fielding side you’d go for the batter a little bit,make them feel uncomfortable. But we didn’t have to say a word because the crowd were going so hard. I know for a fact it must have affected him because he didn’t seem his normal self.”
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