All careers come to an end at some point. Some players are axed and never given another chance. Others retire on their own terms with a record to be proud of.
As Australia’s incumbent Test openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja are both 35 years of age, one could expect either one of them to close the book on more than a decade of international cricket any time now, both having represented Australia in all three formats. But there is one simple reason why they would not: they are still scoring runs.
Warner is currently enjoying his time in India, having scored three consecutive half-centuries in the Indian Premier League, while Khawaja’s Test performances this year have been second to none, scoring four centuries from nine innings and reaching 90 on two other occasions.
Would it make sense for them to walk away now, knowing that they have more to give?
Sure, there are examples of great careers that have dragged on for too long, but in this case, the Australian team has a lot to prove in the forthcoming 18 months, and the veteran pair would undoubtedly love to be a part of it.
Warner has already stated his intentions to be part of the 2023 Ashes series in England, as well the 2023 World Cup in India. He has also cited beating India in India as an aspiration, which he will get the chance to fulfill later this year in a four-Test series.
Khawaja, on the other hand, has been rather casual about his future in cricket, conveying the idea that he is not fussed about it in interviews, yet showing an evident hunger for runs out in the middle.
If both openers called time tomorrow, a spot in the Test team would likely go to Marcus Harris, the only reserve opener in the squad for Australia’s recent tour of Pakistan, by default, despite his modest returns in the Test arena.
Marcus Harris (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
And there is already a healthy list of contenders for the other spot, the frontrunner of which would be Bryce Street, who showed his prowess with a century against England Lions in December. Selectors could also turn to previously tried openers Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw, or Henry Hunt and Sam Whiteman, who have previously earned Australia A selections.
But this is all hypothetical. Unless injury plays a part, it will probably be at a least a year before any of these players get a sniff. And timing will be crucial in deciding who gets the call-up.
By the end of the 2023 Ashes, Bancroft, Harris and Whiteman will all be in their 30s, which may make them less desirable than the younger likes of Hunt, Renshaw and Street as long-term options. But as Khawaja showed when fighting his way back into the team, age does not matter if you can prove beyond doubt that you’re the best option.
Whiteman could begin the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season with back-to-back centuries. Will Pucovski might enjoy a year free of injury and concussion. Tim Ward, recently named Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year, could leapfrog other contenders by piling on runs, granted he has enough time to prove himself before the need for a new opener is realised.
It is possible that the next Australian opener is still yet to play first class cricket.
Of course, it is possible that either Warner or Khawaja could find themselves unprecedentedly dropped if they underperform in future Tests. But Khawaja is in the form of his life, and Warner’s pedigree has seen him tolerated through several lean patches of form; though their age may factor towards less patience for the veteran pair.
While an immediate opening at the top of the order would be ideal for some, others may benefit from the passing of time.
Two Cents
Guest
There are undoubtedly many considerations that go through a player's mind when contemplating retirement from international duties at the top level and age would only matter if the toll on your body were too taxing for you survive a whole season in decent form. Luck of course has a lot to do with whether or not you suffer significant injuries during your career that come back to you as you get into your 30s, as the schedules and campaigns only get busier the longer you remain playing. But it is also a time to reflect and to consider where your twilight contributions can do the most work for the team, not just for your bank balance in the next IPL season. Certainly fans of particular teams and players want their man to get selected and there's plenty of reasons to believe and to hope that players like Green will be taken seriously by Cricket Australia so that they can realise their full potential and enjoy the lengthy careers they deserve. The one thing that we should all take confidence in is that it won't really matter who ultimately makes the 11 because we have so much depth in our program and so many options to choose from that as long as the people who belong there are part of the squad, there's a good chance that the best possible 11 will actually take the field. It's a great position to be in.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And l said at the time of his ban his career would be affected because he was the instigator. He threw both Smith and Bancroft under the bus. Notwithstanding Smith's diffident weakness and Bancroft's gullible naivety.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
There does appear to be a bit of bad luck with Lyon on dropped catches.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I know footage is hard to find but Mallet, in particular, only bowled defensively when required. I get frustrated watching Lyon bowl. And that is not garbage. I've witnessed it. Bleat on.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I’ll give one thing to Lyon. He’s got to be the most unlucky bowler to bowl for Australia. Every single series he has sitters dropped on him. Not just one or two either.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
We have no heir apparent test opening batsmen coming through. If Pucovski comes back he would be a shoe in. Street doesn't look close to test potential. I think Renshaw is the other main man to watch and maybe Sam Whiteman. Marcus Harris needs to performnext chane he gets or his star will have faded. Bancroft has scored runs but his technique looks dodgy. The way into the test team is to score a mountain of runs and whoever that is is likely to be the next batter in. The current lot are doing the job though.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Garbage. Lyon is streets ahead of May, Mallet. His record shows it and those who play with him know it. Only the wannabes criticize.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
True but Lyon gives away to much of himself by resorting to too flat, too fast, too straight. No Aussie player, of the past 20 years infuriates me more. (Caveat: I was an off-spinner). He removes the mystery too easily. Warne was deception, intrigue and rope-@-dope all in one. ------ I think May and Mallet bowled with more patience and mystery, heck, even Mathews strived to be better than he was.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Warne also had 4 pearler different deliveries. Lyon has 1.5. Of only Lyon had a carrom ball that was hard to pick. He’d only need to bowl it once every here overs to keep bats on their toes.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Possibly he needs to give away the hook and pull shots until he’s well set and bowlers are into their late 2nd and third spells?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Warner and Uzzie should both go play county prior to the 2023 Ashes.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
not sure on that tom he’s been hit numerous time by short balls but here is hoping he can make it a thing of the past. also will be a bit harder against international pace bowlers rabada archer etc
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I think I meant not waiting for the ball
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Warne bowled defensively when needed and only when needed. Lyon resorts to bowling defensively at the slightest hint of being carted. Warne held his nerve, Lyon defaults too easily. Lyon has carved out a serviceable career as an attritional bowler.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Warne used to do the same. You would say he got cowed into it. Cricketers know when there's no spin and you're on to give the quicks a break you try and dry up the run supply.
Nick
Roar Guru
No qualms with that tbh Had Warner not scored that meaningful 50 in the 3rd test, I'd be perfectly happy with him being dropped this afternoon.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Maybe the commonality between Dougie and Warner is their natural tendency to get on with it. 'Waiting for the ball' may have been their undoing in that 500 acres of muddy rabbit holes.
hilsnz
Roar Rookie
Warner Test Career Averages Overall 46.98 Playing in Australia 84.98 Playing Overseas 35.97 Against England in Australia 51.74 Against England in England 26.31
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've seen Lyon bowl too flat, too straight, too fast; he gets cowed into it. He looks good when he bowls up, out and slow
Clear as mud
Guest
so if we are not going to pick Warner in England, what are the pros and cons of the farewell home summer? I tend to err on the side of getting easier home tests into whoever has to do the hard work in England. Walters 80-1. Chappell 83-4. Hayden 2008-9. I don't like it.