AUS vs PAK: Pat Cummins Finally Breaks His Silence On David Warner's Replacement In Test Team
Published - 02 Jan 2024, 11:33 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
The Australian cricket fraternity has been busy discussing David Warner’s replacement in the Test team for quite some time now. However, Australia captain Pat Cummins has stated that he has not had any formal talks with selectors about it yet.
The 37-year-old will bring down the curtains on his illustrious Test career after the third and final Test of the ongoing series against Australia. The match is scheduled to be played on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Replacing David Warner will be a huge task for Australia.
The veteran opener has been an indispensable part of Australia’s Test team for more than a decade. He will end his Test career as Australia’s most prolific opener in Tests. No Australian opener has scored more runs than him in the longest format of the game. In 111 games so far, David Warner has scored 8695 runs with the help of 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries.
Pat Cummins on David Warner’s replacement:
As of now, there is little clarity over who will replace the southpaw at the top of the batting order. The likes of Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw are seen as the front runners to replace him. There have also been calls to promote Marnus Labuschagne or Travis Head to make room for Cameron Green in the playing eleven.
Speaking about David Warner’s replacement, Pat Cummins said that the team management is yet to take a final call. He also stated that being an opener would not be a prerequisite to replace Warner at the top of the order.
“(There’s been) nothing formal, and that’s the honest truth,” Pat Cummins said.
“I’ve had a couple of informal chats with Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) and we’ve always kind of said let’s get through this. We’ve got a bit of a gap until the next one, so I’m sure the selectors will sit down after this one and map it out.
“The good thing is that we’re not short of options. There are probably three or four guys that could step in and we’d think would do a great job, but honestly, we haven’t had a chat about it too deeply yet.
“Uzzy wasn’t a specialist until it was basically the only spot available in the team and he forced his way in. Ideally, you’ve got someone who’s had experience opening, but I don’t think it’s a blanket rule,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australia have already won the ongoing series by winning the first two Tests and would be eyeing their 17th consecutive Test win over Pakistan at home.
Also Read: AUS vs PAK: “Who Cares About David Warner?” Ian Chappell
