Former batter David Warner has opined that the Australian team is in dire need of runs from the top-order in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 against India. Warner’s comments come after Australia secured a 10-wicket victory in Adelaide test and leveled the test series 1-1.
The Perth Test witnessed the likes of Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschange reeling under pressure against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, and failing to provide contributions. Although, McSweeney (39) and Labuschange (64) did quite well in the first innings of Adelaide test, Khawaja failed again.
The southpaw has garnered only 34 runs in two games and reached the half-century mark in only one of his last 16 test innings. Moroever, Steve Smith has returned with only 19 runs in three innings and hasn’t looked comfortable against the Indian pace unit.
Warner feels it’s crucial for the batting unit to get that confidence back and not rely on Travis Head’s counter-attacking technique and good form to rescue them from a precarious situation. Notably, Head slammed 140 off 141 in Adelaide to help the side in securing a 157-run lead and eventually a big win.
On the other hand, Mitchell Marsh showed promise with his 47-run knock in the first appearance in the series. However, he has then registered scores of 9 & 6.
“I think the pressure is on all the top order, not just ‘Uzzie’,” Warner was quoted as saying by FOX Sports.
He added:
“Travis came out and counterpunched and scored a brilliant hundred, and we know he’s capable of doing it. But it’s everyone else around supporting that. It’s not just one player in particular, it’s the top six scoring bulk runs and making sure you’re giving rest to the fast bowlers.
“Come Brisbane, we need to see some big runs from the top order.”
David Warner feels Glenn Maxwell doesn’t deserve a call-up to Australia test setup
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell and spinner Adam Zampa are said to be in the reckoning for a spot in Australia’s test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka next month. However, with the Big Bash League starting soon, the duo don’t have any Sheffield Shield games to display their worth with the red ball.
David Warner wondered if Maxwell, who doesn’t even play first-class cricket for his state side, would be a contender for a place in the test team. According to him, the all-rounder needs to go through a grind of red-ball cricket to stake a claim for the spot. He had only one red-ball appearance this season for Victoria 2nd XI, where he scored 24 runs in two innings.
“If you’re not being picked for your Shield team, then why do you deserve it? You’ve got to actually want it, to want to play four-day cricket,” Warner told CODE.
“Unless he’s putting his hand up, he’s playing all the club cricket stuff and all that, to want to play Test cricket. He in my (opinion), doesn’t deserve that opportunity,” he added.
Meanwhile, Zampa hasn’t even made his test debut, despite playing over 200 white-ball games. The leg-spinner recently took part in a Shield game for New South Wales against Tasmania, where he picked four wickets.
FAQs
What is the track record of Glenn Maxwell in Tests?
339 runs in 7 games
What is Steve Smith’s test record against India?
2061 runs in 21 games
