Cricket

Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja has extended his support to his new opening partner, Nathan McSweeney, ahead of their Test debut against India in Perth. Khawaja emphasized the importance of McSweeney playing to his strengths rather than attempting to emulate David Warner, who he described as a "special player."Khawaja, who has amassed nearly 5,500 runs in 73 Tests, believes that the notion of needing to score runs at a rapid pace is a misconception. He advised McSweeney to focus on "repeating the process" that has brought him success in the past."I don't know where this myth started that you needed someone to score really fast. As an opener, you're trying to score runs, and you've got five days to do it," Khawaja said. "Opening is as much about scoring runs as it is about absorbing that time."Khawaja acknowledged Warner's exceptional ability to switch gears effortlessly in the Test format. However, he cautioned McSweeney against trying to replicate Warner's style."Davey (Warner) was special. He could score runs while absorbing. He could sometimes score 100 off 100 balls, but he didn't do it every time. Sometimes it took him 170, 180 balls to get that 100," Khawaja said. "He was consistent, he was out there, he was setting a platform for guys later to come in and score runs."Khawaja expressed confidence in McSweeney's ability to both score runs and bat time. "I think Nathan does that really well. He can score runs, but he can also bat time. They're really important facets to have in Test cricket if you want to set games up."Khawaja warned McSweeney that there were "no guarantees in cricket" but said that the 25-year-old batter didn't "have to do anything different" in the Test arena. "You just try to repeat the process... The only thing that really changes is that you have a few more people watching."Khawaja believes that McSweeney has the temperament and skills to handle the demands of Test cricket. "You always go through ups and downs in cricket, but when you look at Nathan, you look at his demeanor, you look at the way he plays, you feel that over a longer period of time that, yes, this guy will be able to handle the scrutiny of Test cricket and the pressure of Test cricket."

David Warner has urged Cricket Australia (CA) to provide a thorough explanation regarding the controversial ball change incident that occurred during the final day of the Australia A-India A match in Mackay. The incident sparked outrage among Indian players, particularly wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who vehemently protested the umpires' decision to replace the ball.Audio captured by the stump microphone revealed umpire Shawn Craig informing Kishan that the previous ball had scratches and that he would be reported for calling the decision "stupid." Craig stated, "You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion, let's play."Hours after the match concluded, CA released a statement claiming that the ball had "deteriorated" and that no further action would be taken. The statement added that both teams' captains and managers had been informed of the decision before play resumed.Warner, who admitted to not having witnessed the entire incident but had observed the on-field exchanges, suggested that the issue had been swiftly addressed ahead of India's impending arrival for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He emphasized the need for CA to provide a comprehensive explanation, stating, "The ultimate decision is with CA isn't it? I think they have obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer."Warner also expressed his belief that the match referee should address the umpires' actions and stand by their decisions. He added, "I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff which are the umpires. And if they're sticking by the umpire's decisions, you have to stand up for that."It is understood that no footage exists of any untoward behavior involving the ball. According to the laws of the game, a five-run penalty is imposed if the umpires determine that the ball has been unfairly altered. However, CA's playing conditions include an additional clause that allows the umpires to change the ball without imposing penalty runs if the cause of the damage is unclear.Warner's comments came on the same day he was announced as the captain of the Sydney Thunder following the overturning of his lifetime leadership ban imposed for his involvement in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018. He acknowledged the severity of his punishment and expressed his acceptance of it, stating, "The punishment that was handed down was there for a reason and I thoroughly accept that."Warner emphasized his desire to share his knowledge and experience with the Thunder's younger players, hoping to inspire them to become future leaders in the sport.

David Warner, the enigmatic Australian opener, has been reinstated as captain of the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. This momentous decision comes after Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct Commission overturned his leadership ban, which stemmed from the infamous Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018.Warner's return to the captaincy marks a significant milestone in his career and a testament to his unwavering determination. The 36-year-old expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me. I was part of the team from the start, and now to be back with that 'C' next to my name feels fantastic."Warner's appointment as captain is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic move by the Thunder. His vast experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to a team that finished bottom of the table last season. Warner is eager to share his knowledge with the younger players, fostering their growth and preparing them for future leadership roles.Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager, hailed Warner's return as a pivotal moment for the club. "This is a huge moment for David and for our club," he said. "It's not only about his career; it's about the legacy he's creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players."Warner's leadership ban was lifted after a thorough review process that considered his sincere remorse and acknowledgment of his past conduct. The review panel noted his "respectful and contrite tone" and his genuine desire to make amends.Since his CA ban, Warner has captained teams in various T20 leagues around the world, including the BPL, IPL, and ILT20. His last stint as captain of an Australian team was in 2018 when he led the T20I side against New Zealand.The Thunder will kick off their BBL campaign against the Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17. They will then face their arch-rivals, the Sydney Sixers, in the first derby clash at the Showground on December 21. With Warner at the helm, the Thunder will be hoping to make a strong statement and challenge for the BBL title.

David Warner, the recently retired Australian opener, has expressed his concerns about the Indian batting lineup ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India's recent 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand has raised questions about their form, and Warner believes that the Australian bowlers could exploit their weaknesses."I'd be nervous if I'm in their batting order," Warner said to Fox Sports. "They've got three world class quicks and a world class spin bowler, and it's going to be a tough challenge for them."Warner highlighted the importance of India's top-order batsmen, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are all in the twilight of their careers. He believes that these players will be determined to perform well in Australia and finish their careers on a high note."They've got some older guys in their team who are in the back end of their careers," Warner said. "They'll want to come out here and score big runs, and I know they'll be so determined to do well."Warner also discussed the threat posed by Australia's pace attack, led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. He believes that the Australian bowlers have the potential to dominate the Indian batsmen, especially if they can get through the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."The Australian top order needs to make runs," Warner said. "If they can get through Bumrah and Siraj, there could be some big runs put on the board."Overall, Warner believes that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a closely contested series, but he gives Australia a slight edge due to their superior bowling attack.

David Warner's recent comments about potentially returning to the Australian Test team have sparked a flurry of speculation, but his wife, Candice, has unequivocally stated that "it's not happening."Earlier this month, the 37-year-old Warner surprised the cricket world by expressing his willingness to don the baggy green once more, particularly against India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Steve Smith likely to drop down to his usual No. 4 position and Cameron Green nursing a back injury, an opening spot has become available.Warner's statement resonated with fans, who saw an opportunity for the veteran batsman to fill the void. However, Candice Warner has now put an end to any such hopes."He's very passionate about playing for Australia, and I think if George Bailey or Andrew McDonald called him up, he would jump at it," she said. "But it's definitely not going to happen."Candice Warner emphasized that her husband's comments were not a reflection of any disrespect towards the current openers or those vying for selection. She explained that if Warner were to consider a comeback, he would have to follow the same path as everyone else, including playing in the Sheffield Shield."If he genuinely didn't think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn't have said that," she added. "But it's not happening. End of discussion."Warner retired from international cricket in July 2023, ending a remarkable career that included 7,363 Test runs and 17 centuries. While his return would have been a welcome sight for Australian fans, it appears that the door is firmly shut on that possibility.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has revealed that David Warner's offer to come out of retirement for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was merely a joke. Warner had suggested his availability if Australia struggled to find an opening partner for Usman Khawaja, but Paine believes it was all in jest."He was not dead serious, that is Davey. How do I know? Because I spoke to him, that is how. Is that good enough for the people?" Paine told SEN.Warner's retirement from international cricket came after Australia's disappointing exit from the ICC T20 World Cup in the Super Eight stage. In his illustrious career, he amassed 8,786 runs in 112 Tests, 6,932 runs in 161 ODIs, and 3,277 runs in 110 T20Is.Warner's absence has left a significant void in Australia's batting lineup, particularly in the opening position. With Steve Smith moving down to number four and Cameron Green sidelined with a back injury, the team has been searching for a suitable partner for Khawaja.However, Paine's revelation suggests that Warner is not seriously considering a return. "He said, 'I got them good, haha'. Of course, that's Davey's thing. People say, 'You're not serious', I am dead serious, but he is not (about returning to cricket)," Paine added.Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. He was a key member of the teams that won the 2015 and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cups, the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, and the ICC World Test Championship 2023. His aggressive batting style and exceptional fielding made him one of the most feared and respected players in the world.

David Warner's Comeback Offer for Border-Gavaskar Trophy Dismissed by Australia Skipper Pat CumminsAustralia's Test captain, Pat Cummins, has unequivocally ruled out the possibility of David Warner making a comeback for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Warner, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, recently expressed his willingness to return to the national team.Cummins, however, has put an end to any speculation, stating that the team "loves Davey" but will not consider him for the marquee series. He acknowledged Warner's offer but labeled it as a "bit of a wind-up.""Dave, we're very interested. We're taking it very seriously and we'll be in touch, mate," Cummins said on The Grade Cricketer podcast. "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.'"Cummins believes that Warner's offer was partly a joke but also a way for the former opener to stay in the limelight. "I think the truth's somewhere in the middle. 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," Cummins added.In Warner's absence, Steve Smith has been opening the batting for Australia, but the move has not been entirely successful. The 5-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide from December 6. The remaining Tests will be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, with the series concluding on January 8, 2025.

David Warner's six-year leadership ban has been overturned by Cricket Australia (CA), allowing him to captain Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL). The decision follows a review by CA's Conduct Commission, which unanimously agreed that Warner had met the necessary criteria for the ban to be lifted.Warner had been banned from holding any leadership position in Australian cricket since the infamous sandpaper incident in Cape Town in 2018. He had initially accepted a year-long playing ban for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal but had unsuccessfully attempted to have the leadership ban overturned in 2022.However, changes to the code of conduct in 2022 allowed Warner to reapply for a review of his ban. The Conduct Commission panel was impressed by Warner's "respectful and contrite tone" and his "sincere and genuine" acknowledgment of his responsibility for the incident.The panel also considered Warner's contributions to cricket, particularly his role in fostering interest in the sport among the South Asian community in Australia. CA CEO Nick Hockley welcomed the decision, stating that it was a "fair and rigorous process" that allowed players to have long-term sanctions reviewed.Warner's return to leadership is a significant development for Australian cricket. He has been a key figure in the national team for over a decade and is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. His experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to Sydney Thunder in the upcoming BBL season.The lifting of Warner's ban also raises questions about the future of Steven Smith, who was also banned for his involvement in the sandpaper incident. Smith has since returned to captain both the Australian Test and ODI teams, but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to hold a leadership position in the BBL.

Former Australian opener David Warner has expressed his willingness to return to Test cricket, offering to fill the crucial opening slot for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Warner, who stepped away from the longest format earlier this year, has stated that he is ready to make a comeback and provide experience at the top of the order.Australia's opening position has been under scrutiny, with the team struggling to find a consistent pair. Warner's return could be a timely solution ahead of the high-stakes series against India. Known for his aggressive style and extensive experience in Aussie conditions, Warner's inclusion could bolster the home team's chances in the challenging five Test matches.Warner has emphasized the sincerity of his proposal, rejecting any notion that his statements were intended as a joke or made in a lighthearted manner. "I'm always available, just got to pick up the phone," Warner told Code Sports. "I'm always dead serious. Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I'm more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play."Warner, considered one of Australia's finest opening batsmen, stepped away from the game earlier this year. Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive 8,786 runs and 26 centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 335.As the Australian team faces challenges such as Cameron Green's injury and Steve Smith's return to his usual position at No. 4 after a short stint as an opener, the 37-year-old cricketer suggests that the team may need to re-evaluate their choices for the opening slots."I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish. But my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I'm not going to shy away from that," Warner said, adding that he had cheekily messaged both Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald and chief selector George Bailey about the situation."I've spoken to Torch (McDonald) and his answer back to me was, 'you retired,'" Warner laughed. "I don't think he wants to give me the pleasure of him saying, 'can you come back?'"Warner's potential return to the Test team would add depth to Australia's lineup and provide a much-needed boost of experience. His aggressive style and ability to score quickly could be a valuable asset in the upcoming series against India.