Former Australia cricketer David Warner dropped a bombshell and revealed he is ready to come out of retirement and play for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Warner announced his retirement from cricket after the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January 2024. Steve Smith took over the opener's slot post the Warner era, but his ordinary returns meant he was asked to bat at usual No. 4 position in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leaving an opener's slot up for grabs.
“I’m always dead serious. Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game (first round of the shield) since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation," Warner told Code Sports recently.“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. I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish. (But) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that," he elaborated.
Warner’s offer to make a comeback wasn’t well received by Aussie cricket experts. Former Australia cricketer Chris Rogers reacted to David Warner’s statement and said the southpaw made the remark just to get a reaction.
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"I think Davey is being Davey and he is looking for a reaction," Warner's former opening partner Chris Rogers told the media. "I had to laugh. I thought to myself maybe I should come to this press conference and say I'm ready to go but then I did see Mitch Starc bowling (in the Sheffield Shield) and I thought no chance."
Warner's NSW captain Moises Henriques was also surprised when asked if Warner could make a comeback to the Shield match to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"I'd have to have a conversation about the reasons that he wants to do it. Why?" Henriques said of Warner. "And then again it's another conversation with our selectors in terms of, I guess, are we holding back the next generation… or is it something that we need right now," he added.
Former Australia women's team captain Lisa Sthalekar blasted Warner for the bizarre statement.
“What baffles me is that this guy had his swansong last summer to say farewell and finish on his terms. One could argue that because of that allowance, the team is in this situation as selectors didn’t use those Tests wisely to blood the next opener," Lisa Sthalekar told The Nightly.
"Therefore, Warner suggesting to answer the mayday call if it was to come, will only kick the issue down the road again. With England coming out next summer, enough is enough," she added.