Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has advised David Warner to be realistic and look towards the future regarding his Test cricket career.

On Saturday (December 17), Warner got out on a first-ball duck to South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada in the opening Test at Gabba.

It was a well-directed short ball from Rabada and Warner fended it to short leg, where Khaya Zondo pulled off a one-handed catch at full stretch.

The southpaw averaged just 25.5 in the just-concluded two-Test series against the West Indies while he is averaging 23 from nine five-day games this year.

“I think what he should be doing is being as realistic and looking to the future as he can. Like I said before, he deserves the chance to finish the way he wants to finish. I would hate to see him get to an Indian tour or at the start of the Ashes tour and then get the tap on the shoulder," Ponting said on Channel 7.

“Australia know how important he is for them, particularly against South Africa with fast bowling, he can get the momentum going Australia’s way. He will be disappointed, the team will be disappointed, but I said leading into this series, I would not be writing off David Warner for a single second. He is a street fighter and he is important for the Australian cricket team," he added.

After the end of first day’s play at Gabba, Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon said that the team supports Warner to regain his form.

“We all know the X-factor cricketer that David Warner is and the type of batter he is," Lyon stated in the post-match press conference

“He’s got 100 per cent support of the changeroom and it should be the whole Australian public to be honest with you. He got a good steep bouncer today but it was a hell of a catch to hang on to. That’s part of cricket. But I’m expecting David to come out and do amazing things."