Aussie star Warner fights again to save Test career
Australia captain Pat Cummins has helped David Warner rediscover his best in India as the veteran opener once again struggles to salvage his Test career.
The tourists are weighing several changes for the second Test in Delhi, which begins on Friday, after being crushed by an innings and 132 carries on a turning court in Nagpur last week.
Warner’s Test record in India is dismal, averaging 22.16 after falling to 1 and 10 in the opener of the Border Gavaskar series when Australia went all out with 91 in their second innings.
The 36-year-old was under pressure to head into the Australian summer but he scored a stunning 200 in the Boxing Day Test – his 100th match – to secure his spot on a third Red Ball tour of India.
The Australian team camp has denied various reports claiming Travis Head is a contender to replace Warner at the top of the order once that Test takes place.
But the aggressive left-hander needs to fire in the Indian capital to help Australia level the series and secure their spot.
Warner and fellow Australian Steve Smith didn’t practice during Thursday’s optional session in Australia, but that’s nothing unusual.
… I’m sure Davey will be there,” Cummins said of Warner’s position.
“You saw this year at the Boxing Day Test when he’s putting pressure back on the opponents who he’s quite difficult to roll against.
“He did really well here, even beforehand I thought he was fantastic.
“I know there’s a lot of talk about spin bowling through the middle, but this new ball is also sometimes the hardest to hit.”
Head was dropped for the first Test in selection shock after the South Australian was one of Australia’s top-performing batsmen in 2022.
But it was his poor tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka over the past 12 months that ultimately cost him his place.
Head had a long net session on Thursday and stayed behind for an extended field session at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
“Trav was fantastic,” said Cummins.
“I worked really hard on his game. He was fantastic in the squad as he always is.
“He’s absolutely part of the conversations for this test, just like the first test, so he couldn’t do more.”
Australia’s eleven in Delhi will depend largely on the fitness of all-rounder Cameron Green, who has been sidelined since December with a broken finger.
If Green returns, Australia could play alongside Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy against Ashton Agar or Matt Kuhnemann as a third spinner.
Green and fast star Mitchell Starc are both trying to prove their fitness, but the couple opted not to work out on Thursday.
Scott Boland played as the second fast bowler with Cummins in Nagpur and will likely keep his spot if Green and Starc don’t play.
