David Warner, who retired from all forms of international cricket in July this year, made everyone sit up and take notice when he announced that he would be ready to come out of retirement and play for Australia again versus India at home if needed.
After Warner’s retirement, Australia has been struggling to find an optimal partner at the top for Usman Khawaja. Steve Smith was tried at the top and had decent success, but with Australia prepping for the India Test series starting in November, Smith was asked to bat at his original no.4 spot.
The 37-year-old Warner surprised the cricket fraternity and fans by saying that he is ready to pick up his bat again to play against India. Beginning November 22, India will be touring Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which involves five Tests.
"I’m always available, (the Cricket Australia selectors) just got to pick up the phone," Warner had told News Corp.
Warner's statement was relatable to the supporters because Steve Smith is expected to drop to No. 4 against India, while Cameron Green is recovering from a back injury, leaving one empty place vacant. Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis, and youngster Sam Konstas have been included in the squad for the first Test in Perth.
However, Candice Warner, the cricketer’s wife, has confirmed that David won’t be making any comebacks or coming out of retirement, even if he is still able to deliver at the international level.
"He's very passionate about playing for Australia and I think if George Bailey, the selector, or Andrew McDonald, the coach, picked up the phone and said 'we need you', he would jump at it. (But) It's definitely not going to happen," said Candice on Fox Sports' 'The Back Page’.
"I think if he genuinely didn’t think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn't have said that but that’s not any disrespect to any of the openers or people (in the fray for selection). If he was to have gone down that path to play again, he would have had to have done it just like everyone else -- play Sheffield Shield and everything like that. But it's not happening. End of discussion," Mrs. Warner added.
