Warner firmly in our thoughts for India tour, says coach McDonald
The Hindu
Warner averaged just 25.5 in the just-concluded two-Test series against the West Indies
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has dispelled all doubts over David Warner's Test career, saying the veteran left-hander "at this stage" is very much in contention for next year's tour of India, despite his poor run in the format.
Warner averaged just 25.5 in the just-concluded two-Test series against the West Indies and has 23 averages in nine five-day games in 2022.
But McDonald backed Warner to come good in the three-Test series against South Africa starting on Saturday in Brisbane, and seal a spot for the tour of India in February-March next year.
"We'll see what happens in the next three Test matches, but at this stage he's (Warner) firmly in our thoughts for India," McDonald was quoted as saying by the Australian media.
At 36, Warner is at the business end of his career and has already declared that he will take a call on his Test cricket future after this season.
"If we keep picking him and he makes runs, then you know he's back," McDonald said.
"And if you keep picking him and he doesn't, then he's probably on the fade. I think it's as simple as that. He's in our plans for the immediate future, and we'll see what unfolds from there." The coach said he was not at all worried about Warner's current form.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.