Although Warner has been a key figure in the Australian team for over a decade, his Test performance is currently facing intense scrutiny, having scored only one century since early 2020. Former teammate Mitchell Johnson has expressed the opinion that Warner should not be allowed to determine the terms of his exit.
Querying why Warner should be given a “hero’s send-off” in light of his poor Test form, former fast bowler Johnson wrote in a newspaper column: “Can somebody please tell me why?”
Johnson also mentioned Warner’s pivotal involvement in the infamous “Sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering scandal in 2018.
While announcing the Australian squad for the inaugural Test in Perth, chief selector George Bailey affirmed that Warner had secured his spot. However, there are no assurances beyond the initial Test, increasing the pressure on Warner to deliver a noteworthy performance if he intends to conclude his Test career on his own terms and receive an emotional farewell in Sydney.
“Davey’s playing the first Test match and we’ll go from there,” said coach Andrew McDonald. “Until we have to make that decision it’ll continue to I suppose bubble away and the speculation will be there.”
Pat Cummins’ team enters the contest against Pakistan as clear favorites as they commence their defense of the World Test Championship.
Securing victory in the WTC marked a triumphant year for the team, which also included retaining the Ashes and clinching the one-day World Cup last month, with Warner emerging as Australia‘s top scorer.
Pakistan has only managed to win four Tests in Australia since 1956-57, with the last victory occurring in 1995 when they secured a 74-run win in Sydney. Throughout their 12 tours to Australia, they have never succeeded in winning a Test series.
“They’ve gone through some transition with their coaching staff and management and I think in the last series they played, they played a more up-tempo brand in a bid to put more pressure on the bowling,” said McDonald.
“So I think we will see a little more of that. But like anything, if we execute well with the ball it’s going to be difficult (for them) to be able to maintain that over long periods of time.”
During their last two-Test tour in 2019, Pakistan suffered significant defeats, being outplayed by an innings and five runs in Brisbane and an innings and 48 runs in Adelaide. In those matches, Warner showcased his prowess with scores of 154 and an impressive 335 not out.
Beyond the challenge posed by Warner, Pakistan must find a way to contend with one of the world’s most formidable bowling attacks, featuring Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon.
Lyon, currently four wickets shy of joining the elite group of just seven Test bowlers to surpass the 500-wicket mark, stands alongside spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble.
Expressing the team’s intent, Mohammad Hafeez, the team director, emphasized that Pakistan is in Australia not merely to compete but to secure victory.
“We have ticked most of the boxes in our training. Everyone on the team is excited to showcase their ability and eager to win,” he said.
They aim to achieve this amidst the backdrop of a calamitous World Cup and turmoil off the field, leading to a comprehensive overhaul of the national team and its support staff by the country’s cricket board.
Shan Masood now leads the team following Babar Azam’s resignation as captain in all three formats, and there is an influx of new faces in the squad. Azam continues to lead the batting lineup, with Shaheen Shah Afridi being the only fast bowler with prior experience playing in Australia.
Among the newcomers are the untested fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, the dynamic left-handed batsman Saim Ayub, and the versatile all-rounder Aamer Jamal.
SQUADS
Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Agha Salman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris
(With AFP inputs)