I Won't Be Barracking For England: David Warner
David Warner. Image-Reuters.

Swashbuckling Australian opener David Warner has said that he wouldn’t be ‘barracking’ England in the upcoming fourth and final Test against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Warner’s statement has come despite the fact that Australia’s hopes of making it to the summit clash of the ICC World Test Championship final rest solely on England.

England, David Warner, Joe Root
England Cricket Team. Image Credits: Twitter

England have been knocked out of the World Test Championship courtesy of their ten-wicket mauling at the hands of India in the third Test but they can still do their Ashes rivals a favor.

If England beats India in the 4th Test then not only will they go away with a 2-2 scoreline but their victory will also pave way for Australia to leapfrog Virat Kohli’s men and join their Trans-Tasman rivals for the marquee clash at the ‘Home of Cricket’ Lord’s in June.

Warner, however, added that from a “cricket perspective”, he would like the Test series to end in a draw, which essentially means an England win and Australia’s entry in the WTC final.

“I won’t be barracking for England. From a cricket perspective, we’d like to see a draw [in the series]. It would be ideal for us to make the World Test Championship final and if that happens it’s a great result for us,” said David Warner.

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David Warner’s comments come a few days after Australia’s assistant coach Andrew McDonald admitted that the men from Down Under will be supporting their Ashes foes in the upcoming fourth Test.

“There’s a bit of self-interest there for us. We’ll be hoping they can do the job there. It’s going to be difficult for them, no doubt, some of the surfaces have been conducive to spin bowling and probably India’s strengths in their ability to play spin as well. We wish them well. See what unfolds, it’s out of our hands but we’ll be watching along with interest,” said McDonald.

“Think most people have been watching that series with some great interest in terms of the conditions and the short nature of the Tests has been very interesting to watch from afar,” he added.

I Won't Be Barracking For England: David Warner
Australia. Image-Reuters

The fourth and final Test between India and England will kickstart from March 04 in Ahmedabad, and while the Joe Root-led unit’s victory will help Australia leapfrog India in the WTC points table, it might still not be enough for them to qualify as according to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, the ICC will be bringing forward Cricket South Africa’s complaint.

Earlier this year, Cricket Australia had called-off the South African Test tour citing Covid following which CSA had demanded compensation as well as allotment of 120 points from the three-match series. If the ICC awards those points to South Africa then Australia will be knocked out even if India loses their final Test against England.

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Also Read: Report: Australia Could Be Out Of WTC Final Following ICC’s Decision To Bring Forward Cricket South Africa’s Complaint