Mark Taylor claims David Warner should be given three Tests to fight for his spot in England, while urging selectors to make Cameron Bancroft or Matt Renshaw the next opener in line.
Selectors are expected to name a squad for the World Test Championship final against India and the Ashes series this week, with the focus firmly on the top of the order.
Warner is expected to be named in that squad and picked for the WTC final at The Oval on June 7 before the Ashes begin, returning from an elbow injury that cut short his India Test tour.
The heat remains on the opener to produce runs early in England.
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Warner’s double-century against South Africa at the MCG last December is his sole triple-figure score in 32 innings, while he averaged 9.5 on the last Ashes tour.
David Warner. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
But Taylor, who will be in England as part of the Nine Network’s Ashes broadcast, believes Warner should play in the first two Tests against England if selectors pick him to face India.
“If I am reading the tea leaves right, it sounds like they will stick with David for the World Test Championship at The Oval,” the former Test captain told AAP.
“And if that’s the way Australia are thinking about the World Test Championship, then yes, they have to start with him for the Ashes.
“It would be very hard to have Usman Khawaja and Warner open the batting and then change a week later for the first Test at Edgbaston.
“Whoever they think is our best opening combination for the World Test Championship, should do the first three Tests of the summer.”
Selectors have previously indicated they will break the English summer into two blocks of three Tests, with the squad to be re-evaluated after the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
Taylor is also adamant selectors should opt for Bancroft or Renshaw as the back-up opener ahead of Marcus Harris.
Harris was handed a national contract ahead of the two, despite the Victorian not playing a Test for 15 months.
Chief selector George Bailey indicated at the time Harris is seen as a preferred back-up option outside of the sub-continent, with Renshaw’s recent Tests on spinning wickets.
Bancroft has not played a Test match since the 2019 Ashes, but was the leading run-scorer in this summer’s Sheffield Shield with 945 at an average of 59.06.
Marcus Harris. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
But Taylor said he was surprised by the selectors’ contract call earlier this month.
“My old way of thinking, I always like a right-and-left-hander combination. So I would love to see Cameron Bancroft get another opportunity at the top of the order,” the former Test opener said.
“I see Renshaw has been making runs in New Zealand (for Australia A), but Bancroft has made a heap of runs in the Australian summer.
“One thing I do like about Bancroft, which I also like about Renshaw, is their ability to catch in the field.
“In the next year or two, we’re going to need to find two openers. The one thing that has worried me about Marcus Harris is his fielding.
“The way this series is looking like panning out, fielding is going to be crucial. I think that will go against someone like a Marcus Harris, whose fielding is not great.”
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Hey settle down! The selectors reckon Warner will go out and win us the World Test Championship by knocking up a quick century and then back it up in the first Ashes test with another ton. Just to prove everyone else is wrong. The odds aren't great but for sure Renshaw, Bancroft or Harris aren't capable at this stage if ever to do that, and Warner, Khawaja are.
Nobody likes a smarta*s
Roar Rookie
Here we go again – MM selected!!!! :shocked: HIS TEST RECORD SHOWS THAT HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. If Green is fit how can they justify playing MM? Green is a better allrounder, the 4 quicks are better bowlers and the specialist batsmen are better batsmen. His spot should have been filled by Neser
Akitas
Roar Rookie
That one has had me chuckling to myself for several minutes. Thank you.
Pop
Roar Rookie
There you go Tubby had the heads up. WARNER SELECTED!!. No Bancroft but Mitch Marsh. Renshaw over Bancroft. Selectors can’t make the HARD CALLS . Goodbye Ashes.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
This is really disappointing and is not setting up any successor opener with any basis for success. this isnt even considering that Warners long term form is atrocious in red ball.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Assuming all players were available, would Warner get selected to play Sheffield Shield for NSW? I think Daniel Hughes would still be a certain selection (537 runs at 41 for the 2022/23 season). However, most other players tried by NSW failed until the last match when they threw young Ryan Hackney in. He scored 78 & 102. He's 23, played 4 Shield matches in 2021/22 without impressing but clearly has some upside. Warner has not been very loyal to NSW so would the selectors choose to go with Hackney rather than Warner?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
It isn't ? ...Damn ! :stoked:
Nobody likes a smarta*s
Roar Rookie
Yep, the selectors stuffed up by not dropping him earlier
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A Coagulation of Incompetence?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But if you've ever seen seen Olga Kurylenko read coffee you'd be a believer
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Moon is not a man-made satellite.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It'd be a grotesque thing; a Warner Tubby
Micko
Roar Rookie
Ex-NSW players are always suggesting their guys should be promoted, or given more opportunities if struggling at test/international level.
Micko
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :thumbup:
jameswm
Roar Guru
They really all stick together, don’t they.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Cmon don’t be ridiculous. Take out that one innings of 200 and his last 23 innings over 2022/23 comes at an average of 17.7. Then of course we have that woeful record of his last series in England where he scored 95 runs at 9.5. Why is he even still in the conversation ??
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Why is Tubby reading tea leaves? Is this what selectors do now, drink tea and then look into the murky remnants for their selections? Sounds about right
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
He's an all rounder
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Who was on the board when Sandpaper gate happened and was Lehmans best mate There is your answer.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
Harris and Warner have never dropped a catch, or been bowled, before.