Retiring Australian batting great David Warner is widely expected to be selected for the three-Test series against Pakistan that begins in December this year, however, captain Pat Cummins has stopped short of guaranteeing the 37-year-old a farewell Test.
Warner is hoping for a farewell match in his hometown in Sydney, likely to be in early January of 2024.
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And Cummins was clear that he had nothing but admiration for the 37-year-old veteran.
“He’s a great of our game in all formats,” Cummins said of Warner.
“He was brilliant this World Cup.
“He’d go on and take the game on, be brave and really put it back on the opposition.”
But while admitting Warner was “hitting the ball beautifully at the moment”, it wasn’t quite a definite ‘yes’ for an automatic Test selection.
Warner smashed 528 World Cup runs, but he only averaged 25 during the Ashes series and a home ground Test cricket farewell – similar to former captain Steve Waugh’s – is far from a lock.
“First and foremost, you always think of the performance side of things when you’re picking a side,” Cummins said.
In next week’s Prime Minister’s XI, domestic openers Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft will be all trying to impress selectors in what has been dubbed as a “bat off” for Warner’s spot post the SCG Test.
But it is possible allrounder Cameron Green might simply return to the top order and Marnus Labuschagne is shoehorned into the vacant opener role.
Cummins believes the Cricket World Cup brought the best out of his captaincy and says he is not afraid to make the tough calls.
His stunning performance as the architect of Australia’s sixth World Cup crown brought to an end any lingering uncertainty about his suitability for the top job.
The 30-year-old surprised onlookers with his call to bowl first in November’s final against India after winning the toss in Ahmedabad.
But with the wicket playing slow in the first innings before the dew fell to quicken the pace in the second, it became clear the captain had pulled off a masterstroke.
“Still on a high, still waking up every morning buzzing. It’s a career highlight for sure,” Cummins said, reflecting on that final victory over the tournament hosts.
“I definitely get better with captaincy every game, absolutely.
“You learn so much in your wins, and even more so in your losses. No doubt I’m getting better.”
Bowler Mitchell Starc had his own words of praise for his triumphant captain.
“He’s been phenomenal – the last few months have spoken to that,” Starc said.
“He certainly had his critics. There’s an opinion that (the captaincy) has to be done a certain way (but) Pat’s never been fazed by that or outside noise.
“A lot of (Australia’s success) has to do with the way Pat captained through the World Cup, particularly that last game.
“Things were done differently and bravely, and we’re standing here with the trophy.”
Cummins and Starc have no plans to rest for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan despite a busy 2023 in which Australia embarked on a tour of India, the World Test Championship final, an away Ashes series and the 50-over World Cup.
“The words ‘rested’ and ‘rotated’ get thrown around a lot, but you never miss Test cricket fully fit,” Cummins said.
“Whilst the last couple of years we might’ve been rested from the odd game, the bulk of work we’ve been able to do is because of those smaller gaps.
“We’re fully fit. We won’t be rested.”
– With AAP
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