Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has ruled out a potential return for David Warner after the veteran batter made himself ‘available’ for the side’s upcoming series with India.
Steve Smith is keen to return to number four, leaving Australia’s selectors with a conundrum as they search for Usman Khawaja’s partner at the top of the order.
Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw and teenage prospect Sam Konstas are all seen as contenders to open ahead of eagerly anticipated India’s five-match tour Down Under, which begins next month.
Warner – Australia’s fifth-highest run scorer in history – has also put his hand up for selection with a clear message to Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald, despite retiring from Test cricket earlier this year.
‘I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,’ the 37-year-old told Code Sports.
‘I’m always dead serious. Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red-ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation.
‘Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.’
Speculation over Warner’s possible return has dominated the back pages following his shock come-and-get-me plea.
But speaking to The Grade Cricketer, Cummins shut down talk of a sensational comeback for Warner while lifting the lid on a recent phone call he had with his former team-mate.
‘Dave, we’re very interested. We’re taking it very seriously and we’ll be in touch, mate,’ a grinning Cummins said in a statement dripping with sarcasm.
‘I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. I can’t remember if he reached out or I did… he’s like, “What do you think?”, and I was like, “Yeah, good luck with [Sydney] Thunder and I look forward to your comments on Fox!”.
Cummins declared his ‘love’ for Warner but believes the batsman’s recent comments were meant as ‘a bit of a wind-up’
‘I think the truth’s somewhere in the middle,’ he added.
‘I reckon it is a bit of a wind-up but I reckon he doesn’t mind seeing himself in the back page.
‘We love Davey but he is retired.’
Earlier this month, Smith dismissed recent reports that he had requested to be moved back into the middle order.
‘I said, “I’m happy to bat wherever you’d like me to bat but four would be my ideal position”,’ he told reporters.
‘I’m not really too fussed – I got asked where I’d prefer to bat and I said four.
‘I saw a few things last week saying I requested to bat at four – that wasn’t the case.
‘I’m happy to bat wherever they like me to bat.’
.
.