Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has indicated that, although selectors haven’t firmly decided on who will replace David Warner as an opener, doors are open for batters with strong white-ball form.
During training in Perth on Sunday, David Warner batted in sunglasses as Australia assembled for its final Test series of the year. The 37-year-old aims for a Test farewell in Sydney during the third Test against Pakistan, and McDonald has maintained that, like everyone else, the opener’s spot remains subject to constant review.
“Davey’s playing the first Test match, and we’ll go from there,” the coach told reporters following a centre-wicket session at the WACA Ground, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
McDonald emphasized that until a replacement for Warner is needed, no succession plan has been put in place. Matthew Renshaw, who scored a ton in a tour match against Pakistan in Canberra, along with Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris, are front-runners to replace Warner due to the varying success they have had in the Shield over the years. “We know they can play; they have good numbers in Shield cricket, and I think if we were to go down that path and choose one of them, I think they would do a really good job,” McDonald said of the trio, each having played 10 Tests.
However, a less conventional approach could be considered. All-rounder Cameron Green will start the summer from the sidelines as McDonald confirmed that Mitchell Marsh will play at number six against Pakistan, taking Green’s spot during the Ashes this year.
The young all-rounder could replace Warner when his spot becomes available. In this scenario, another batter will be promoted to open to allow Green back into the middle order. Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne have been considered as options to be promoted to the top of the line-up.
