The Test scheduled against Pakistan in Sydney from January 3rd will be the last for David Warner. After this, he will retire from Test cricket. In such a scenario, there’s a big question across Australia about who will take David Warner’s place, especially in Test cricket. On this matter, team captain Pat Cummins has said that the replacement doesn’t need to be a specialist opener. Captain Cummins has also denied that there has been any discussion between him and the selectors on this matter.
37-year-old David Warner is the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket for Australia. His replacement is going to be a tough task, with Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw, and Marcus Harris being the primary contenders. However, Cameron Green might also be considered as an opener, providing the captain with several bowling options. Additionally, the team might explore the option of including a spinner as an opener to assist Nathan Lyon.
Captain Cummins, regarding the upcoming Test series, stated, “I have had some informal discussions with Ronny (coach Andrew McDonald), and we have always said, let’s work on it. We have some time until the next match, so I am confident that the selectors will sit down after this, and decide on it (the opener). The good thing is that we are not short of options. There are probably three or four people who can play at the top, and we think they will do a great job. But honestly, we haven’t had deep discussions about it yet.”
Players like Bancroft and Harris have experience opening at the Test level, but Pat Cummins mentioned that being a specialist opener isn’t a requirement. He pointed out players like Usman Khawaja, who despite not being a natural opener, has delivered excellent performances at the top order. He said, “Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) wasn’t a specialist then, there was only one spot available in the team, and he forced his way into it brilliantly.”
Cummins said, “Ideally, you’d like someone with opening experience, but I don’t think it’s something that can’t be changed.” He mentioned that filling Warner’s spot is quite challenging. Cummins continued, “Playing in all three formats for over a decade. Winning two 50-over World Cups, a T20 World Cup, and being at the forefront and in the middle of all those campaigns. He was a big reason behind those victories.”
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