Another modern first’: David Warner criticised for anointing Test replacement
David Warner has given Marcus Harris a ringing endorsement to be Australia’s next opening batter, with the retiring left-hander set to hang up the boots in the coming weeks.
But his comments drew the ire of a former Test selector.
After more than a decade at the top of the order in the men’s team, the 37-year-old will step away from the red-ball format at the conclusion of the Sydney Test against Pakistan.
The race to step into Warner’s shoes has been a topic of discussion in cricket circles in recent months, with the likes of Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw all in the mix.
Cameron Green has also been suggested as a long-term opener, while big-hitting right-handers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have also been floated to move up from the middle-order.
But following the opening day of play in the Boxing Day Test, Warner fronted the media and was quizzed on who he wished to see open the batting in the baggy green against the West Indies.
“It is a tough one – it is obviously up to the selectors,” he said.
“From my position, I feel like [it should be] the person who has worked their backside off and has been there for a while in the background.
“Harry’s (Harris) been that person who has toured, he scored that 100 the other day and missed out in another couple of games but he’s always been the person who’s next in line.
“If the selectors show their faith in him, then I’m sure he’ll come out and play the way he does. You know, he’s not too dissimilar to me.”
Harris reached triple figures during a recent tour match against Pakistan, but his record at Test level has been mixed at best.
The 31-year-old is yet to score a ton for Australia across 14 appearances, while his average of 25.29 has seen him drop in and out of the line-up in recent years.
The comments from Warner have sparked some uproar on social media however, with former Tasmanian and Somerset opener Jamie Cox taking to X on Wednesday to question the stance.
Cox was previously an Aussie Test selector .
“Well bugger me – another modern first!” Cox wrote.
“I have never heard of a current player anointing their successor. What’s wrong with (saying) ‘that’s a question for (chief selector) George Bailey not me’? I need a lie down.”
Earlier in the Boxing Day Test, Warner also urged selectors to persist with aggressive players, pointing out the power at the Aussies’ disposal in all formats and the potential future stars plying their trade in the domestic T20 competition.
“I have always played the way that I have to entertain and to put bums on seats. I think that is important, giving back and making sure the fans are getting what they paid for,” he told Fox Cricket.
“We’ve got players like Travis Head, you’ve got Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green, guys who actually like going after the ball.
“How are we going to find these guys coming through? You’re going to find them in the Big Bash.
“It’s going to be a gutsy call to put someone out there in the middle, a bit like what they did with me, and experiment.
“I just hope that when they do, that person gets their chance, that they are given a good crack and it doesn’t chop and change.”
Warner was dismissed for 38 on the opening day of play in Melbourne, with the side bowled out for 318 on the second day.
