Mark Taylor believes David Warner should be allowed three Tests to compete for a place in England, while Australia’s selectors should make Cameron Bancroft or Matt Renshaw the next opener in line.
This week, selectors are anticipated to choose a squad for the World Test Championship final against India and the Ashes, with a strong emphasis on the top of the order.
Warner is anticipated to be included to that squad and selected for the WTC final at The Oval on June 7, prior to the start of the Ashes, after recovering from an elbow injury that ended his India Test tour.
In England, the on is still on the opener to produce runs early. Warner’s double century against South Africa at the MCG in December last year was his only triple-figure score in 32 innings, and he averaged 9.50 on the 2019 Ashes tour.
However, Taylor, who will be in England for the Nine Network’s Ashes coverage, believes Warner should play in the first two Tests against England if he is chosen to face India.
“If I’m reading the tea leaves correctly,” the former Test captain told AAP, “it appears that they will stick with David for the World Test Championship at The Oval.” “And if that’s how Australia views the World Test Championship, then they have to start with him for the Ashes.”
“It would be very difficult to open the batting with Usman Khawaja and Warner and then switch a week later for the first Test at Edgbaston.” The first three Tests of the summer should be played by whatever they believe is our finest starting combination for the World Test Championship.”
The selectors have previously stated that the English summer will be divided into two blocks of three Tests, with the team to be re-evaluated following the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
Taylor is also certain that the selectors should choose Bancroft or Renshaw as the backup opener over Marcus Harris. Despite not having played a Test in 15 months, Harris was given a national contract ahead of the two.
With Renshaw’s recent Tests on spinning wickets, chief selector George Bailey said at the time that Harris is considered as a preferred back-up option outside of the subcontinent.
Bancroft has not played a Test match since the 2019 Ashes, but he led the Sheffield Shield with 945 runs at an average of 59.06. However, Taylor stated that the contract call earlier this month startled him.
“In my old mind, I always liked a right-and-left-hander combination.” “I’d like to see Cameron Bancroft get another chance at the top of the order,” he added. “I see Renshaw has been running in New Zealand [for Australia A], but Bancroft has been running a lot in Australia this summer.”
“One thing I like about Bancroft, and Renshaw as well, is their ability to catch in the field.” We’ll need to locate two openers in the next year or two. Marcus Harris’ fielding is the one thing that has concerned me.
“With the way this series is shaping up, fielding will be critical.” I believe that will go against someone like Marcus Harris, whose fielding isn’t particularly good.”
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