When long-serving opener David Warner retires from test cricket, Australia’s top selector George Bailey has warned against repeating the mistakes committed in the aftermath of leg-spinner Shane Warne’s departure.
Warner was picked to Australia’s 14-man squad for the first test against Pakistan, which will be held in Perth from December 14 to 18, as he prepares to retire in Sydney against Shan Masood’s team in January.
While the focus has been on whether Warner should be allowed to end his 12-year test career on his own terms, Bailey emphasised the importance of avoiding a hangover from the exit of such a powerful individual.
“I think when you’ve had someone who’s had that longevity and been so dominating in the role, it’s just to temper the expectations of whoever is going to be the replacement there,” Bailey said in an interview.
“Recall how Warney ended up as a spinner and how many spinners were brought in and shuffled out in the quest to replicate Warney.”
“I don’t think you ever try to replicate someone who’s played a role as well as someone else has, and I’d put David in that category because of the way he’s opened the batting for Australia for such a long time.”
“That’s something we’re conscious of and making sure that fit post-David is the right one.”
Warner’s selection for the first test comes after former teammate Mitchell Johnson delivered a scathing attack of the 37-year-old’s recent form, questioning whether he deserved to be selected at all.
Over the last two years, Warner has averaged less than 30 runs per innings with only one century, while his involvement in the “Sandpapergate” controversy in South Africa, which rocked Australian cricket in 2018, continues to ruin his reputation.
“It’s been five years and David Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal,” Johnson wrote in The West Australian on Sunday, alluding to Warner’s year-long suspension for his role in sandpapering the ball to affect flight.
“Can someone please tell me why, as we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series?”
“Why does a struggling test opener get to choose his own retirement date?” And why should a player at the core of one of Australia’s biggest scandals be given a hero’s send-off?”
Bailey refused to comment on Johnson’s remarks, but emphasised that Warner’s ability justified his inclusion in the side for the first match against Pakistan.
“Ultimately we still think he’s in our best 11 players to win the first test,” he went on to say.