Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie reckons the Pat Cummins-led team should drop opener, David Warner, if they go on to win the third Ashes Test against England at Leeds, Headingley. Australia will take an assailable lead of 3-0 in the ongoing Ashes if they defend the target of 251 runs on the fourth day’s play.
Meanwhile, Warner hasn’t been in the best of forms in the ongoing Ashes and was dismissed for the 17th time in Test cricket by Stuart Broad after scoring only a solitary run in the second essay. Moreover, Warner was dismissed after scoring four runs in the first dig.
The veteran left-hander has scored 141 runs in three Ashes Test matches so far at an average of 23.50 and has failed to deliver the goods at the top of the order along with Usman Khawaja, who has been in terrific form.
Gillespie feels it is time that Australia invests in youngsters and give more opportunities to players like Matthew Renshaw.
In his column for Daily Mail, Jason Gillespie wrote, “Personally, I am a bit torn over what Australia should do. Part of me thinks they should maybe make a change if Australia seal the series by winning this Test. That way, they are moving forwards and they get to take a look at someone else. For me, that would mean Matt Renshaw coming in, rather than reshuffling the order.”
Warner has claimed that the Test series against Pakistan in 2024 will be the swansong of his career. But the former speedster believes the left-hander’s retirement idea might not go as planned.
“Dave has laid out his ideal plan to retire from Test cricket after the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January. But I would be surprised if he makes that. Runs are your currency and, while Dave has got a lot of credit in the bank and is one of the best players Australia has had when you don’t perform over a period of time, those credits dry up.”
While Warner has failed to deliver with the bat in the recent past, it has had no effect on his slip catching. Warner took two catches in the first essay of the third Test and Gillespie feels Australia will find it hard to fill in his big shoes.
“Dave has laid out his ideal plan to retire from Test cricket after the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January. But I would be surprised if he makes that. Runs are your currency and, while Dave has got a lot of credit in the bank and is one of the best players Australia has had when you don’t perform over a period of time, those credits dry up.”
England need 224 runs to win whereas Australia will be looking to hunt for 10 wickets to retain the urn.
