David Warner clarifies retirement u-turn comment after Cummins declines comeback
New Delhi: Former Australian opener David Warner has clarified that he would only reconsider his international retirement if the Australian team management specifically requested his return to the senior men’s side. With uncertainty around who will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Warner has signaled he is open to a comeback—if Pat Cummins and the team express the need for his experience.
David Warner clarified his recent comments during his commentary debut on Fox Sports for the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The left-handed batter stated he would never refuse if the Australian management wanted him to make a comeback.
“My comment was only if my phone rang and they called me and if they asked. (In that case) you’re not going to say no. You’re not going to turn down a game for Australia. I think a lot of it got taken out of context by some people but it is what it is. If I was to get a call, why wouldn’t I say yes?” said Warner on commentary.
Warner suggested that South Australian captain Nathan McSweeney could be a viable option for the opener slot in the upcoming series. “McSweeney’s a talent. They can take a chance with him opening the batting. I know he bats No. 3 for South Australia, but I think he brings leadership qualities as well,” Warner remarked during his Fox Sports commentary.
David Warner, a veteran of 112 Tests for Australia, had announced his retirement following the series against Pakistan. In October 2024, he was also officially cleared of the ban imposed by Cricket Australia due to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Recently, Warner expressed to the media his openness to returning to the Test side for the series against India, should he receive a call from Australian captain Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins responded to Warner’s comments on *The Grade Cricketer* Podcast, saying, “I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. I can’t remember if he reached out or I did… he’s like, ‘What do you think?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, good luck with [Sydney] Thunder, and I look forward to your comments on Fox.’”
“I reckon it (offer) is a bit of a wind-up but I reckon he doesn’t mind seeing himself in the back page. We love Davey but he is retired,” he added.
The India-Australia Test series is set to start on November 22 in Perth, with the remaining four matches scheduled in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.