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As David Warner approaches the twilight of his illustrious Test career, the veteran Australian opener is already contemplating the future of the team’s batting order.
After a commendable innings on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan, where Warner scored 38 off 83 balls, he shared his insights on the player he envisions as the ideal candidate to fill the void at the top of the order after his retirement.
David Warner names his heir in the red-ball cricket
Speaking to Fox Sports, Warner has named Marcus Harris as the primary contender to step into his shoes as the mainstay for the Australian Test team at the opening position. Harris, with his batting prowess and style, has caught Warner’s attention, and the senior player sees a resemblance in their game plans.
“It is a tough one (and) it is obviously up to the selectors. But from my position, I feel like the person who has worked their backside off and has been there for a while in the background (is Harris),” Warner said.
“Harry’s been that person who has toured (and) he scored that 100 the other day and missed out in another couple of games but he’s always been the person who’s next in line. So if the selectors show their faith in him, then I’m sure he’ll come out and play the way he does. You know, he’s not too dissimilar to me,” the 37-year-old added.
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Backing young talent: Warner’s advocacy for long-term support
Reflecting on his own cricketing journey that began in 2009, Warner emphasized the importance of backing young talents, just as he was supported in his early days. The aggressive-southpaw believed in providing emerging players with an extended run, allowing them to overcome the fear of failure and flourish on the international stage.
“I have always played the way that I have to entertain and to put bums on seats. I think that is important, giving back and making sure the fans are getting what they paid for. How are we going to find these guys coming through? You’re going to find them in the Big Bash,” the Paddington-born cricketer stated.
“It’s going to be a gutsy call to put someone out there in the middle, a bit like what they did with me, and experiment. I just hope that when they do, that person gets their chance, that they are given a good crack and it doesn’t chop and change,” Warner concluded.
