‘Enough is Enough’ – Former Australian star slams David Warner’s willingness to make Test return

David Warner stunned the world with his willingness to take back his Test retirement. The 38-year-old had retired from all forms of the game at the start of this year. The left-handed batter played his last game for Australia against Pakistan in front of his home fans in Sydney. 

Former Australian player Lisa Sthalekar slammed David Warner in her column for the Australian newspaper. “What baffles me is that this guy had his swansong last summer to say farewell and finish on his terms, One could argue that because of that allowance, the team is in this situation as selectors didn’t use those Tests wisely to blood the next opener,” she wrote.

Sthalekar added, “Therefore, Warner suggesting to answer the mayday call if it was to come, will only kick the issue down the road again. With England coming out next summer, enough is enough.”

Is David Warner’s offer showing a lack of depth in Australian cricket?

Since David Warner retired, Australia have seen Steve Smith open the batting. The 35-year-old is set to go back to his favourite spot in the batting order for the series against India. This has now created a huge debate on who could open for Australia against India alongside veteran batter Usman Khawaja. 

Young Sam Konstas has been looked at as an option after his terrific start to the season. The likes of Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft could also be considered with the experience they have playing for the national side. Marcus Harris made his Test debut versus India in 2018 and played his final Test in 2022 against England. 

Cameron Bancroft hasn’t played for Australia since 2019 where he was part of the Ashes team under Tim Paine. The 31-year-old has played just 10 Test matches with 448 runs with an average of 26 with 3 Test fifties. The form shown by Bancroft in recent games though is not great and he could struggle to get a call up for the India series. 

38-year-old Warner during his chat with Code Sports said, “I'm always available, just got to pick up the phone, I am dead serious. I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish. But my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I'm not going to shy away from that." The left-handed batter has also offered to play Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales should the selectors decide to take up his offer.