I Think David Warner Is Even More Important In The Test Line-up – Greg Chappell

Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell believes that opening batsman David Warner is a very important member of the Australian Test side as he is a very skilful and aggressive opener.

David Warner had a poor run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 as he was dropped from the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team. However, he made a sensational comeback in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and was able to win the player of the tournament award by scoring 289 runs in seven innings at an average of 48.16 and strike rate of 146.70.

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“Warner may be a polarizing figure for some, and many had written him off before the T20 World Cup, only to have him prove how important he is at the top of the order. I think he is even more important in the Test line-up,” talking about the importance of Warner in the team Chappell in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday wrote.

“A skilful, fast-scoring opening batsman can be invaluable in setting up the game. Teams with aggressive openers cause opposition captains and bowlers to toss and turn at night.”

Greg Chappell feels that Usman Khawaja might be considered for opening the innings with Warner, but Marcus Harris will likely accompany Warner at the top order in the upcoming Ashes series.

“Warner’s aggression and all-round stroke play mean that a more circumspect player with less attacking options can be considered a complementary partner. Ed Cowan and Chris Rogers played that role extremely well with Warner in the past.

“Marcus Harris will likely accompany Warner to the wicket in Brisbane because of his form. Usman Khawaja could be considered for that role, but I feel he is better suited in the middle order, breaking up the right-handers,” Greg maintained.

Usman Khawaja And Travis Head Both Prefer The Ball Back Of A Length, So They Offer Similar Skills – Greg Chappell

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Meanwhile, Chappell feels that middle-order batters Usman Khawaja and Travis Head, who have been picked in the squad for the first two Tests against England, offer similar skills. Still, Khawaja might be given a chance in playing XI on December 8, considering his experience of playing at The Gabba.

“Khawaja and Travis Head both prefer the ball back of a length, so they offer similar skills. Both are solid rather than brilliant in the field, so the nod will go to which of the two the selectors think will handle the England attack best. Khawaja has the advantage in that the Gabba is his home ground,” he asserted.

Greg Chappell also expressed his happiness on the addition of all-rounder Cameron Green to the squad for the first two Ashes Tests.

“He is an exciting prospect because he adds diversity to the line-up and has a wide range of strokes down the ground and square off the wicket. Green is extremely tall, so that adds another element to his combination with other batsmen.

“His reach means that he can make back-of-a-length balls seem full. That will mess with the bowling teams’ lengths so that shorter batsmen benefit if the bowlers err or fail to adjust their lengths quickly,” he further maintained.

Talking about former Australia Captain Tim Paine, Chappell said that if he doesn’t want to play then, selectors can add Alex Carey or Josh Inglis to the team.

“The bowling group for the first Test is settled. If Paine doesn’t play, the selectors will earn their modest stipend early in the international season, having to name his replacement. Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are the obvious front-runners,” he concluded.

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