Tim Paine makes stunning revelation on David Warner's retirement U-turn for BGT 2024-25

Former captain of Australia Tim Paine opened up about veteran batter David Warner's remarks on coming out of retirement for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series. Tim Paine revealed that David Warner's recent comments were not serious, as the left-handed batter enjoys teasing others.

Last week, Warner stated he would be available for the opening position this summer if needed. The southpaw also stated that he would play in a Sheffield Shield match before the Test series against India. The team management didn't pick a specialist opener after Warner's retirement earlier this year.

Steve Smith opened the batting with Usman Khawaja to accommodate Cameron Green in the batting lineup. However, this move didn't yield results for the Australian team. Smith will return to his regular position as No. 4 in the upcoming five-match Test series, which is set to commence on November 22 in Perth.

David Warner Was Not Dead Serious - Tim Paine

Speaking to SEN Tassie, Tim Paine said that David Warner was not dead serious and recounted a conversation with him. Paine said that Warner wants to tease rather than make a serious offer. He said that Warner is not looking to return to international cricket.

"He was not dead serious, that is Davey. How do I know? Because I spoke to him, that is how. Is that good enough for the people?," said Paine to SEN.

"He said, 'I got them good, haha'. Of course, that's Davey's thing. People say, 'You're not serious', I am dead serious, but he is not (about returning to cricket)," he concluded.

Warner announced his retirement from international cricket following Australia's exit from the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 against India. He struggled against India in Tests, averaging just 31. Overall, he scored 8,786 runs in 112 Tests at an average of 44.59, including 26 centuries and 37 half-centuries.

Honestly Never Heard So Much Garbage - Greg Blewett

Former Australian Test cricketer Greg Blewett criticized David Warner for his comments about coming out of retirement for the upcoming Test series against India. Blewett described Warner's remarks as "self-absorbed" during an appearance on Triple M Adelaide's Rush Hour with Bernie, Blewey, and Jars.

"I honestly never heard so much garbage in my life. It's self-absorbed and the guys getting around him work for the same company he's going to commentate for this summer. (They're) saying Australia don't know what they've missed out on, or how lucky we've had with David Warner, and we didn't respect him enough," Blewett said.

First Test Between Australia And India Set To Commence On November 22

As Australia prepares for the Test series against India, selectors are considering Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris as contenders. 19-year-old Konstas seems to be the frontrunner, having recently scored centuries in both innings of a Sheffield Shield match.

Australia has not won a bilateral Test series against India since 2014-15 and is eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first Test of the five-match series is set to start on November 22 at Optus Stadium in Perth.

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