Australia backing Warner to have a big Ashes: McDonald

24.05.2023 - 08:01 channelnewsasia.com

MELBOURNE : Australia are optimistic that David Warner will have a big Ashes and have backed him to deliver at the top of the order.Selectors had equivocated on whether the lefthander was locked in for the Ashes series against England after a difficult tour of India but head coach Andrew McDonald offered a firm endorsement on Wednesday."We're optimistic with what Dave's got left, we’ve picked him in the squad and we feel he’ll play a really big part in the Ashes and the World Test Championship," McDonald told Australian radio station SEN.Warner was included in Australia's squad for the WTC final against India and the first two Ashes tests but selectors kept their options open at the top of the batting by also calling up Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw."He's an important part of that squad, and if he wasn’t, we would’ve had a clear checkpoint after the WTC going into the Ashes," added McDonald."That’s not the case, we’ve picked our squad for the first two Ashes tests as well, so he’s clearly in our plans and ready to go."Apart from a defiant 200 against South Africa in December, Warner has struggled for runs in recent tests, making a total of 26 in three innings in the recent tour of India before returning home injured.He had a dire series in England during the last Ashes tour, averaging 9.50, the worst ever by an opener to play 10 innings in a series, with paceman Stuart Broad taking his wicket seven times.He had a better time of it in 2015, scoring 418 runs at an average of 46.44.Warner finished the Indian Premier League for Delhi Capitals with 516 runs at an average of 36.86, down on his career average of 41.54."He's in a good head space," said McDonald."I spoke to him as recently as yesterday, and he's ready to go.

McDonald David Warner Stuart Broad Andrew Macdonald Marcus Harris Matt Renshaw Australia South Africa India Melbourne county Mcdonald Delhi

A video of Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne, who was caught peacefully sleeping in the dressing room having padded up, has gone viral on the Internet. A video tweeted on the ICC page shows Labuschagne padded up and stretched out on a dressing room chair. However, as opener David Warner gets dismissed in the fourth over of the innings, Labuschagne is awakened by the crowd's noise and quickly walks out to bat at No. 3.

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne Wakes Up In Time For Batting After David Warner's Dismissal During WTC Final

Marnus Labuschagne became the subject of several jokes and memes after a hilarious incident involving the Australia batter during Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India at The Oval on Friday. Labuschagne was resting on a chair inside the Australia dressing room at the start of their second innings and the camera showed that he fell asleep after some time. However, his sleep was disturbed by David Warner's dismissal and because he was the next batter, he quickly got ready and rushed to the field. The incident went viral on social media and resulted in a number of hilarious memes with many social media users coming up with some interesting comments.

India vs Australia, WTC Final: Australia End Day 3 At 123/4, Extend Lead To 296 Runs Against India

India's Ajinkya Rahane revived his international career with a courageous effort in seaming conditions but it could not prevent Australia from extending their supremacy in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in London on Friday. Playing his first Test in 18 months and with his side's back against the wall, Rahane weathered a hostile spell from Australian pacers on way to a memorable 89 off 129 balls on the third day and took India to 296 all out from 152 for six.

Labuschagne and Smith keep Australia in control of final after India fightback

There was a point, not long before tea, when anything seemed possible. Australia had a handy lead and were attempting to stretch it, but India and their supporters had hope. The crowd bubbled and shrieked, Virat Kohli conducting from the cordon, and the air was tense with potential. But then Steve Smith joined Marnus Labuschagne and together they muffled the crowd under a suffocating blanket knitted out of pure competence.

Sloppy Australia stay on top in WTC final after Jadeja's double strike

India's Ravindra Jadeja took two prize wickets but Australia remained in command of the World Test Championship final despite an error-strewn display at The Oval on Friday.