Image: David Warner set to return to BGT 2024 / © Sportstar
After the home Test match against Pakistan earlier this year, the 37-year-old left-handed opener declared his retirement from the game. Warner scored 34 runs in the first innings and 57 in the second, but the home team had won the match. Australia’s attempt to advance to the World Test Championship final will depend heavily on its performance against India at home. On November 22, the five-Test series begins in Perth.
Given that all-rounder Cameron Green will be out for at least six months of cricket due to lower spine surgery, Australia is currently facing an opening dilemma. The Australians also have an opening dilemma since Steven Smith hasn’t been very successful as an opener against the West Indies both at home and in New Zealand. Smith and Usman Khawaja have been in charge of opening duties after Warner’s retirement, having participated in four Test matches. With a fifty apiece and no hundreds, Khawaja has clearly amassed more runs (227) than Smith (171) during this time. In matches against the Windies, they have recorded their greatest scores of 75 and an undefeated 91, respectively.