While his form has been inconsistent, McDonald believes that Warner can play a “significant” role in the upcoming series. The main reason behind the coach’s assertion is Warner’s career experience and determination to do good for the team.
While talking to SEN Radio, Andrew McDonald said, “We’re optimistic with what Dave’s got left.”
“We’ve picked him in the squad and we feel that he’s going to play a really significant part in the Ashes and the World Test Championship final.”
“That’s why he’s on the plane. We think he’s got some good games left in him. He’s clearly in our plans.
He knows exactly where he sits with us and internally we’re really settled around what we need to do and how we’re going to go about it.”
Warner’s career was under threat after three cheap dismissals and a fractured elbow during a tour of India. However before that, he scored a cathartic 200 against South Africa during the 2022 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. That 100 may have silenced his critics but his batting standard has sunk into trouble.
Despite this, there were still doubts about his place in the team with other options such as Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris and Travis Head available at the top of the order. Australia looking forward provide opportunities to some new players as it was earlier mentioned by selector George Bailey.
England bowler Stuart Broad has dismissed Warner seven times in 10 innings during a 2019 Ashes series where Warner averaged just 9.5. However, McDonald is confident that Warner can draw on his past successes and perform well this time around.
In 2015, Warner had eight half-centuries and averaged mid-40s in English conditions. These numbers will be considered pretty healthy because it is not easy to bat in English conditions for openers.
McDonald believes that Warner’s experience and skill make him an important asset to the team. He is backing him to perform well despite criticism from some quarters.
The coach is focusing on better days ahead and believes that Warner can draw on everything he has to make an impact in this year’s Ashes series.
David Warner may have had an inconsistent run of form recently but he still has the support of his coach who believes he can play a significant role in this year’s Ashes series against England.
With his experience and past successes in English conditions, there is no doubt that Warner will be looking to prove his critics wrong and make an impact for Australia this summer.