Coach Macdonald said, Warner is completely in our thoughts for the tour of India

David Warner of Australia bats against West Indies on the third day of their cricket test match in Adelaide on November 10, 2022. Photo Credit: AP

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has cleared all doubts over David Warner’s Test career, saying despite his poor run of form in this format, the experienced left-hander is “at this stage” the talk of the town for next year’s tour of India.

Warner averaged just 25.5 in the recently concluded two-Test series against the West Indies and averages 23 in nine five-day matches in 2022.

But McDonald backed Warner to do well in the three-Test series against South Africa starting in Brisbane on Saturday and seal a place for the tour of India in February-March next year.

“We’ll see what happens in the next three Tests, but at the moment he (Warner) is in our thoughts for India,” McDonald was quoted as saying by the Australian media.

At 36, Warner is in the fag end of his career and has already declared that he will decide on his Test cricket future after this season.

McDonald said, ‘If we keep picking him and he gets runs then you know he’s back.’

“And if you keep picking on him and he doesn’t take off, he’s probably faded. I think it’s as simple as that. He’s in our plans for the immediate future, and we’ll see what unfolds from there.” comes.” The coach said that he is not worried at all about Warner’s current form.

“His (Warner’s) hunger for work, in and around training is still there. He is busy at the crease and you have seen signs that he is doing well. He’s found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen,” McDonald said.

“He’s keen to continue at this level, he hasn’t indicated anything else. We’re also building towards a World Test Championship, and he wants to be a part of that, so that’s an obvious focus for us and we’ve got to The South is found.” Africa as a part of that.

“And then to India. So, there is no indication of anything else at the moment.” Australia will tour India for four Tests and three ODIs from February 9 in Nagpur.