David Warner made heads turn with his recent comments on the possibility of him coming out of retirement to play for Australia again, but the former opening batsman’s wife, Candice, has said that “it’s not happening”.
Earlier this month, the 37-year-old Warner surprised the cricket fraternity and fans by saying that he is ready to pick up his bat again to play against India, who will be touring Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy involving five Tests, beginning November 22.
“I’m always available, (the Cricket Australia selectors) just got to pick up the phone,” Warner had told News Corp.
Warner’s statement was relatable for the fans because Steve Smith is likely to move down to his usual No. 4 spot against India and Cameron Green is recovering from a back injury, which has left one opening spot vacant. It has brought Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis and youngster Sam Konstas in the frame for the opening Test in Perth.
Speaking to Fox Sports’ ‘The Back Page’, Candice Warner said her husband won’t make a comeback even if he is still good enough to deliver at the international level.
“He’s very passionate about playing for Australia and I think if George Bailey, the selector, or Andrew McDonald, the coach, picked up the phone and said ‘we need you’, he would jump at it. (But) It’s definitely not going to happen,” said Candice.
“I think if he genuinely didn’t think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn’t have said that but that’s not any disrespect to any of the openers or people (in the fray for selection). If he was to have gone down that path to play again, he would have had to have done it just like everyone else — play Sheffield Shield and everything like that. But it’s not happening. End of discussion,” Mrs. Warner added.
Warner retired from international cricket in July this year.