Pat Cummins' confession about David Warner amid Test farewell uncertainty

Pat Cummins has revealed he was impressed by what he saw from David Warner throughout the Ashes series in a strong indication that the maligned opener might get his fairytale farewell after all. Warner announced earlier this year that he will retire from Test cricket after the third Test against Pakistan in January, which will take place in front of his home crowd at the SCG.

But some indifferent form over the last few months has led to speculation he might not get picked for the Aussie summer. With three Tests against Pakistan followed by two against the West Indies, some have suggested it might be a better idea to blood Warner's replacement amid friendly conditions at home.

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Outside of a magnificent double century against South Africa at the MCG last December, Warner has failed to reach triple figures in nearly three years. He registered scores of 9, 36, 66, 25, 4, 1, 32, 28, 24 and 60 across the five Ashes Tests at an average of 28.5 - a marked improvement after his horror series in England in 2019.

But he once again failed to make a big score despite getting a decent start in seven of his 10 innings. Calls are growing louder for selectors to move away from Warner and look to the future in the Aussie summer, but comments from captain Cummins appear to suggest they will do otherwise.

Speaking after Australia's loss in the fifth Test, which saw the series drawn 2-2, Cummins said: "There were some times he looked really good, played some really important innings. The thing about playing in England, you can get the conditions against you.

"He walked out sometimes under lights and clouds, and a 30 there is worth double. The (140-run) partnership he put on yesterday with Uz (Khawaja) was fantastic.

"It was probably the story of the tour. So many moments where he felt like he got on top of the game and (England) got themselves back in."

Will David Warner get his fairytale farewell?

Aussie legend Glenn McGrath had earlier questioned the wisdom of letting Warner play on past the Ashes. “He looked OK (on Thursday), but then got out again,” McGrath said on SEN radio. “I know he came out the other day and said he wanted to play it to the end of next summer.

"But I think the pressure is on him, the vultures are circling. Unless he comes out in the second dig and produces a big score, I think he might struggle.

“Unfortunately, he‘s got a lot of starts this series and then just gets out. I‘m not sure what’s there, the timing is not quite there.

“He had that big innings back in Australia on Boxing Day where he got the 200, but there hasn’t been a sort of real big score before or after that for quite some time. He‘s probably feeling the pressure, he still talks it up and says he’s going fine and this and that, but he’s got to put the runs on the board unfortunately.”

Warner had earlier shot down speculation that he would call it quits immediately after the Ashes series. Former England captain Michael Vaughan had reported 'whispers' he'd heard that Warner and Steve Smith would both walk away from Test cricket after the series finale at The Oval.

"And Smithy (is retiring) too apparently. So obviously it's a joke," Warner said. "I won't take that too seriously ... I don't have an announcement."

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