IND vs AUS: David Warner issues a clarification on his comeback for Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Legendary Australia opener David Warner has finally spoken about his earlier remarks on the comeback from retirement. Warner feels that his comments were taken out of context and he would only come out of retirement if he got a call from the selectors.

Last month, David Warner expressed his desire to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India if the selectors ask him. Warner had stated that the other options for the opening spot too haven't played much cricket and he can make himself available for international cricket after playing a match in the Sheffield Shield.

However, Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald dismissed the idea of bringing Warner back into the mix and claimed that there have been no discussions between him and Warner about his comeback.

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David Warner breaks silence on his 'comeback from retirement' remarks

While speaking during the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan on Fox Cricket, David Warner revealed that his comments were taken totally out of context and he did not mean to play international cricket again.

He further added that he wasn't going to deny playing a game for Australia if he gets a call and it all depends if he is asked by the selectors to be back.

"My comment was only if my phone rang and they called me and if they asked, you're not going to say no. You're not going to turn down a game for Australia. I think a lot of it got taken out of context by some people but it is what it is. If I was to get a call, why wouldn't I say yes?" Warner argued.

After David Warner's retirement, Australia are still looking for an opener in Tests to partner Usman Khawaja. Veteran batter Steve Smith was tried in that position but did not have much success. As a result, Smith has been moved back to his usual position at No. 4 for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Options for opening slot in Australia's Test line-up

Some of the options for the opening slot are Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Sam Konstas. All these players played Sheffield Shield recently and also played against India A in an unofficial four-day game.

Apart from these openers, Australia also have the option of opening the batting with Nathan McSweeney, who recently impressed during the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A. Although McSweeney is not an established opener he has the ability to play the new ball well and weather the early storm.

"They haven’t put the numbers on the board" - David Warner on Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft

David Warner spoke about the options but claimed that Harris and Bancroft do not have many runs under the belt. He claimed that Cameron Bancroft is still making the same mistakes and will be troubled against quicker bowlers in international cricket.

"We know what Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft bring to the table. They have been around. Unfortunately, they haven’t put the numbers on the board. With both, I think they are still making the same mistakes, Warner stated.

"With Cameron Bancroft, his foot is still out to point. If someone is bowling 140, 145km/h, he is still going to make the same mistakes. In my eyes, it’s about his front foot being pointed out to the point, and when there is faster airspeed, so the bowlers are bowling faster, he is going to get rolled through LBW or get caught in the slips cordon," the former Australia batter explained.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will begin from November 22 in Perth. The five-match Test series will be important for both the teams in the race to the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June next year.