David Warner has been named in the Test squad for Australia's upcoming 3-match Test series against Pakistan, fulfilling his wish for a Test farewell at his home ground in Sydney. The series will begin on December 14 at Perth Stadium, followed by the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year's Test in Sydney.
Australia's chief selector, George Bailey, announced a strong squad for the series opener, with Pat Cummins leading the side. Fast bowler Lance Morris has been included in the 14-man squad, and all-rounder Cameron Green retains his place despite losing his spot to Mitchell Marsh.
There were doubts about Warner's inclusion in the squad, but the Australian selection committee seems to be backing the veteran opener, especially after his impressive performances in the ODI World Cup in India.
The tour game between the Prime Minister's XI and Pakistan in Canberra on December 6 will also be closely watched, as players like Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, and Matthew Renshaw will be part of the fixture and competing for spots in the Test team.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon makes a return to the squad, replacing Todd Murphy after recovering from an injury that kept him out of the majority of the Ashes campaign earlier this year.Warner had expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket with a final appearance at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and it seems his wish will be granted.
However, Warner's recent form in Test cricket has declined, with inconsistency and a dip in numbers. His average in England stands at 26.48 and an even lower 21.78 in India over the past two to three years. This is a significant contrast to his previous dominance as an aggressive opener.
Warner's last Test century came in December 2023 against South Africa, ending a long drought. Despite surpassing 8,000 test runs, his performance has struggled to reach the high standards he set earlier in his career.
Image Source : X
Ⓒ Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
