Tag: David Warner

Usman Khawaja defends David Warner after stinging Mitchell Johnson criticism

Usman Khawaja jumped to the defence of his opening partner David Warner on Monday after stinging criticism of the veteran batsman from Australian great Mitchell Johnson.

Former fast bowler Johnson hit out after Warner kept his spot in Australia’s squad to face Pakistan in the first Test later this month despite a poor run of red-ball form.

The three-match home series against Pakistan is expected to be Warner’s farewell to Test cricket.

The decision to keep faith with Warner provoked a strong response from Johnson, who questioned why his former team-mate should be given a “hero’s send-off” in light of his poor Test form.

“Can somebody please tell me why?” he wrote in The West Australian newspaper at the weekend, also bringing up Warner’s central role in the notorious “Sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

Steve Smith and Warner were both banned for a year for their part in the scandal, but Khawaja told reporters on Monday: “Davey Warner and Steve Smith are heroes in my mind.”

“No one’s perfect,” Khawaja added.

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“Mitchell Johnson isn’t perfect, I’m not perfect, Steven Smith isn’t perfect, David Warner isn’t perfect.

“What they’ve done for the game from a positive point of view… far outweighs anything else they’ve done.

“So for (Johnson) to imply that Davey Warner or anyone else involved in the sandpaper (scandal), is not a hero, I strongly disagree with that.”

The first Test against Pakistan in Perth starts on December 14, before the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then Sydney, beginning January 3.

Warner has indicated he plans to quit the five-day game after the Test at his home Sydney Cricket Ground but will continue in white-ball cricket.

Warner was in scintillating form at the recent 50-over World Cup, but he has scored just one Test century since early 2020 and has averaged only 28 since the 2019-2020 summer in Australia.

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Shaheen Afridi aims to spoil David Warner’s farewell Test series

Pakistan’s left-arm pace bowler Shaheen Afridi expressed his desire to spoil Australian opening batter David Warner’s final Test series, starting with the Perth Test on December 14th.

David Warner was in scintillating white ball form at the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023, scoring 535 runs at a 48.63 average for his side which won their sixth World Cup title.

However, Warner has scored just one Test century since early 2020 and averages only 28 since the 2019-2020 summer.

The 37-year-old batter has indicated he plans to quit the five-day game after the third Test against Pakistan at his home Sydney Cricket Ground.

Shaheen Afridi, while talking to the media before his side’s practice session in Canberra praised Warner for his stellar career but predicted that the southpaw will not have a ‘good end’ to his Test career.

“We would wish him good luck but we are not hoping for a good end for David Warner in his last Test series against us,” said Shaheen Afridi.

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Afridi also stressed the importance of the Australian series for Pakistan to hold on to their top spot in the World Test Championship’s points table.

“This is an important series for Pakistan as we are leading the World Test Championship’s point table at the moment,” he further added.

He further expressed his side’s readiness to take the challenge of facing Australia in their tough home conditions.

“We have played against the recently announced Australia’s 14-member squad, and we are all up for this challenge,” he affirmed.

Pakistan and Australia will square off in the first Test match in Perth from 14-18 December 2023.

The second Test match will be played in Melbourne, from 26 to 30 December, while Sydney will host the last game of the tour from 3 to 7 January 2024.

Pakistan squad

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Australia squad

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris

READ: Fatima, Shawaal lead Pakistan women to historic win over New Zealand

Australia keep faith with David Warner for first Pakistan Test

Veteran opener David Warner kept his spot in Australia’s squad to face Pakistan in the first Test this month for what is expected to be his farewell series.

Warner was in scintillating white ball form at the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023, but he has scored just one Test century since early 2020 and averages only 28 since the 2019-2020 summer.

It has sparked questions about whether he should retain his place at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja, with the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw knocking on the door.

That trio will all play for the Prime Minister’s XI against Pakistan in a four-day red ball warm-up this week in Canberra, widely seen as an audition for Warner’s job.

“This group, led by Pat Cummins, has built a strong resume over an extended period,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said of the squad, which was named only for the Perth Test.

“We believe they have earned the opportunity to start in our first home Test match at the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle.”

Australia will open the three-Test series against Pakistan in Perth on December 14, before the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then Sydney, beginning January 3.

David Warner, 37, has indicated he plans to quit the five-day game after the Test at his home Sydney Cricket Ground against Pakistan but continue in white ball cricket.

Australia also have Tests against the West Indies later in January at Adelaide and Brisbane.

“As ever, there will be opportunities in the short- to medium-term to break into this squad,” said Bailey.

“We look forward to seeing the continued strong performances from players who have been performing domestically, many of whom will get a tremendous opportunity in the PM’s XI fixture against Pakistan later this week.”

The only change for Perth from the team that started Australia’s last Test against England at the Oval in July is likely to be the return of fit-again spinner Nathan Lyon in place of Todd Murphy, who did not make the squad.

Lyon has 496 Test wickets and is on the verge of joining just seven other Test bowlers to breach the 500 mark, including fellow spin kings Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are again set to spearhead the pace attack with Scott Boland and firebrand Lance Morris — on the comeback from a back stress injury — waiting in the wings.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green were both included in the 14-men Australia squad to face Pakistan, but Marsh has moved ahead in the pecking order.

Australia squad for the first Test against Pakistan

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris.

READ: Fatima, Shawaal lead Pakistan women to historic win over New Zealand

David Warner reacts to Mohammad Kaif’s ‘best team on paper’ comment

Australian opening batter David Warner has responded to former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif over the latter’s statement about India being the ‘best team on paper’ despite the loss in the ICC World Cup 2023 final.

Indian team gave a dominant performance in the ICC World Cup 2023, remaining undefeated in ten games before the final, where they lost to Australia, who won their sixth World Cup title.

Mohammad Kaif, while talking to an Indian channel after the match claimed that ‘India is the best team on paper.’

“I can never accept that the best team has won the World Cup. The Indian Team is the best team on the paper,” said Kaif.

“The way Rohit Sharma’s team has played, my chest swells with pride, it was just a bad day, it happens in the game,” he further added.

His statement garnered several reactions from the cricket fraternity, including Australian broadcaster Glenn Mitchell, who took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and reminded Mohammad Kaif that “World Cup finals are won on the cricket field and not on paper”.

David Warner also joined the fray and quoted Mitchell’s post with his own response stating that it does not matter which team is better on paper.

“I like MK [Mohammad Kaif], issue is it does not matter what’s on paper. At the end of the day you need to perform when it matters. That’s why they call it a final. That’s the day that counts and it can go either way, that’s sports. 2027 here we come,” posted Warner.

Moreover, Warner ended the post with ‘2027 here we come,’ warning other teams that Australia are eyeing another World Cup win four years down the line.

David Warner was the highest run-scorer for Australia and the fifth-highest run-scorer during the ICC World Cup 2023 with 535 runs at an average of 48.63 with two centuries.

READ: Virat Kohli closes gap with top-ranked Gill in ICC ODI Batting Rankings

David Warner to miss T20I series against India

Experienced Australia opener David Warner on Tuesday, withdrew from the upcoming five-match T20I series against India after his ICC World Cup 2023 exploits.

His withdrawal means just seven players from Australia’s World Cup-winning squad will feature in the away T20I series against India, among them are Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith.

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Consequently, all-rounder Aaron Hardie has been named the replacement for David Warner,  who is all set to bid adieu to Test cricket.

“Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Notably, David Warner played a pivotal role in Australia’s successful World Cup campaign as the left-handed opener was their top-scorer with 535 runs at 48.63.

In the grand final on Sunday, Australia outclassed unbeaten hosts India by six wickets to lift their sixth title.

The two sides meet again in the five-match T20I series, scheduled to commence on November 23 in Visakhapatnam.

Meanwhile, right-handed explosive batter Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in the upcoming series in the absence of their regular captain Rohit Sharma.

Notably, only three of their World Cup squad will feature in the T20I home series.

Right-handed middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer will join the squad as the vice-captain for the last two T20Is, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said.

Series Itinerary: 

November 23: India vs Australia – 1st T20I (Visakhapatnam)
November 26: India vs Australia – 2nd T20I (Thiruvananthapuram)
November 28: India vs Australia – 3rd T20I (Guwahati)
December 1: India vs Australia – 4th T20I (Raipur)
December 5: India vs Australia – 5th T20I (Bengaluru)

India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.

Australia Squad: Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

READ: World Cup 2023 becomes the most attended ICC event

Warner, Head blitz fail to trump Markram’s ton as South Africa edge Australia

South Africa’s spin bowlers backed up a century by Aiden Markram as the hosts ended Australia’s winning streak with a 111-run victory in the third one-day international at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

Markram hit 102 not out in a South African total of 338 for six.

South Africa survived a furious assault by David Warner and Travis Head before bowling out Australia for 227.

Australia won the first two games in the five-match series after sweeping a Twenty20 series 3-0.

The tourists looked on track for another win when Warner and Head thrashed 79 for the first wicket off only 48 balls.

Australia were 104 for one at the end of the 10-over power play, the second time in a row they reached three figures while fielding restrictions were in place.

But left-arm spinners Tabraiz Shamsi (two for 29) and Keshav Maharaj (two for 37) changed the course of the match on a spin-friendly pitch before fast bowler Gerald Coetzee (four for 50) finished off the Australian innings.

Maharaj also made a key intervention in the field with a direct-hit run-out of Warner, who made 78 off 56 balls before slipping and losing his shoe as he set off for a single.

“We needed a positive one,” said South African captain Temba Bavuma.

“The batters knuckled down and we were banking on the wicket assisting the spin bowlers and it’s exactly what it did.

“The power play didn’t go as well as we wanted but the way we clawed it back was exactly what we’re looking for.”

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said the loss was “a little slip-up” in conditions which are likely to be replicated during the World Cup in India next month.

“Hopefully we learnt a lot from it,” he said.

Quinton de Kock (82) and captain Temba Bavuma (57) gave South Africa an ideal start with an opening stand of 146 in 22.5 overs.

But Australia were able to slow down the scoring, with part-time off-spinner Travis Head making good use of a slow, dry pitch to bowl unchanged and take two for 39 in 10 overs.

Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen gave the innings late impetus with a sixth-wicket partnership of 63 off 31 balls which was ended by a sensational diving left-handed catch by Sean Abbott on the cover boundary off Nathan Ellis.

READ: India edge Sri Lanka to reach Asia Cup final as Pakistan still in race

David Warner retained as Australia unveil Playing XI for fourth Ashes Test

MANCHESTER: Out-of-form opener David Warner managed to retain his spot in Australia’s Playing XI, which did not feature a spinner, for the fourth Ashes Test against England.

David Warner, whose poor record against England pacer Stuart Broad continued in the ongoing Ashes, led by Australia 2-1, managed to retain his place in the team’s lineup.

Warner could score a mere five runs and fell twice against Broad in England’s three-wicket loss in the third Ashes Test.

Furthermore, Stuart Broad has had Warner dismissed 17 times in Tests and, if he does another double over Warner in the fourth Ashes Test, he will equal the record for most dismissals by a bowler against a single batsman at this level, held by Australia great Glenn McGrath, who claimed the wicket of former England captain Mike Atherton 19 times.

Despite the opener’s poor form, Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed Tuesday that Warner would continue to open alongside Usman Khawaja as his men aim to win the Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001.

Cummins backed his decision by asserting Warner’s role in three fifty-plus partnerships for Australia was crucial for the Ashes holders while expressing his confidence that a big score from him is “just around the corner”.

“Davey didn’t have his best game last week at Headingley but prior to that, I think he’s looked really good –- he’s had three fifty-run partnerships which can be rare over here in England,” Cummins told reporters.

“We back Davey, absolutely. We know how tough it can be to open over here. He’s doing all the right things, he’s shown some great signs and I’m sure a big score is just around the corner,” he added.

Meanwhile, young spinner Todd Murphy, who replaced injured Nathan Lyon in the third Ashes Test, was dropped from the side.

Murphy’s exclusion meant Australia would go into a Test without the services of a frontline spinner for the first time in 11 years.

Cummins further shared that Josh Hazlewood would replace Scott Boland while all-rounder Cameron Green will replace Murphy.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already unveiled their Playing XI for the must-win fourth Ashes Test, making just one change as their all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson returned to the hosts’ lineup.

PLAYING XIs

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

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Stuart Broad dismisses David Warner for the 15th time in Tests

BIRMINGHAM: England’s veteran pacer Stuart Broad continued his dominant record against David Warner by dismissing the Australian opener for the 15th time in Test cricket.

On the second day of the opening Ashes Test, Stuart Broad once again managed to get rid of his old foe David Warner, whose miserable run in red-ball cricket continued.

Australia, resuming at an overnight score of 14/0 after Ben Stokes boldly declared England’s first innings on 393/8 on Day 1, were in a state of bother when Stuart Broad castled David Warner early in the first session of Day 2.

The right-arm pacer bowled a wide and tempting delivery outside off and lured Warner to play a booming cover drive.

Warner, however, failed to execute the drive with no footwork and dragged a thick inside edge back onto the stumps before walking with a shake of the head.

 

Warner’s dismissal sent Broad in jubilation as the veteran pacer marched on to celebrate with his teammates.

Before the start of the Ashes, David Warner hinted at his potential Testretirement, announcing that the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January next year can be his final red-ball appearance.

Interacting with the reporters ahead of the World Test Championship Final against India at Lord’s, scheduled to commence on June 7, David Warner revealed that he wants to play his farewell Test match at his home ground Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against Pakistan next year.

Australia are poised to take on West Indies in a two-match Test series briefly after Pakistan Tests but David Warner made it clear that he will not be a part of the Australian squad.

“You’ve got to score runs,” Warner told reporters, according to cricket.com.au.

“I probably owe it to myself and my family — if I can score runs here and continue to play back in Australia — I can definitely say I won’t be playing that West Indies series. If I can get through this [WTC final and Ashes] and make the Pakistan series I will definitely finish up then,” he said during the interaction.

In response to his plans regarding taking retirement from international cricket as a whole, David Warner hinted 2024 World Cup could be his last international outing but shared that he will continue to play franchise cricket around the world.

“I’ve always said the [2024] World Cup would probably be my final game,” shared Warner.

It is worth mentioning here that David Warner is going through a rough patch in the longest format for more than 12 months.

According to some reports, his Test future with Australia was dependent on how he coped with the Stuart Broad challenge in the Ashes.

The left-handed opener, however, would be hoping to find himself back in the runs in the next innings of the first Ashes Test in a bid to retain his spot in the Playing XI.

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David Warner hints at retirement after Pakistan Test

Renowned Australian opener David Warner on Saturday hinted at his potential Test retirement, announcing that the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January next year can be his final red-ball appearance.

Interacting with the reporters ahead of the World Test Championship Final against India at Lord’s, scheduled to commence on June 7, David Warner revealed that he wants to play his farewell Test match at his home ground Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against Pakistan next year.

Australia are poised to take on West Indies in a two-match Test series briefly after Pakistan Tests but David Warner made it clear that he will not be a part of the Australian squad.

“You’ve got to score runs,” Warner told reporters, according to cricket.com.au.

“I probably owe it to myself and my family — if I can score runs here and continue to play back in Australia — I can definitely say I won’t be playing that West Indies series. If I can get through this [WTC final and Ashes] and make the Pakistan series I will definitely finish up then,” he said during the interaction.

In response to his plans regarding taking retirement from international cricket as a whole, David Warner hinted 2024 World Cup could be his last international outing but shared that he will continue to play franchise cricket around the world.

“I’ve always said the [2024] World Cup would probably be my final game,” shared Warner.

Earlier this year, David Warner shared that he and his opening partner Usman Khawaja opted against retiring simultaneously.

“For us it’s about not leaving this team with a big hole. I know through those five-year transition periods when a lot of the greats left, they’re big holes to fill with the amount of games you play. We always talk about games played and how much that means into a team’s performance and perspective with experience. You can’t fill that void,” he said.

Schedule of Pakistan tour of Australia

December 14-18: First Test, Perth Stadium
December 26-30: Second Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground
January 3-7: Third Test, Sydney Cricket Ground.

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Cummins, Warner return as Australia name WTC final and Ashes squad

Australia have included veteran David Warner along with two possible opening backups in the squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against India and the opening two Ashes Tests.

Cricket Australia on Wednesday announced the 17-member touring party for the WTC decider from June 7 at the Oval and the first two matches of the Ashes.

Pat Cummmin will return as Australian captain after missing the last two Tests in India to spend time with his ailing mother.

Similarly, Warner will also make his comeback after recovering from an elbow injury sustained during the India tour in February, though two other left-handed openers – Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris – have been named as possible options to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

However, the squad for the WTC final against India needs to be cut down to 15 players by May 28.

The selectors will reassess their decision after the second Ashes Test at Lord’s and make changes, if needed, to the squad for the remaining three Tests at Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval.

Among the players who were part of the Australian squad that toured India, l Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann have not been retained.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis have been recalled for the upcoming assignment.

Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

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