David Warner cops brutal truth bomb amid 'terrible' run of Test form

Pressure is mounting on David Warner to retain his place in Australia's Test side after a disappointing showing in the second Test against the West Indies. The opener made just 21 and 28 as Australia won by 419 runs to sweep the two-Test series 2-0.

The lean showing came after he made 5 and 48 in the first Test, while his top order teammates all cashed in. His inability to reach 50 means he's scored a half-century in just four of his last 26 Test innings and hasn't scored a Test century since January 2020.

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“I didn’t realise it was that lean, to be honest,” Ricky Ponting said in commentary for Channel 7. “Coming on for two years for a Test match century. Four half centuries in his last 26 innings.”

A three-match series against South Africa starting on Saturday looms as pivotal in deciding Warner's future in Test cricket. The Aussies head to India in February for four Tests before a blockbuster showdown with England for the Ashes starting in June. But if Warner can't make runs against South Africa he might not be making either trip.

“You talk about how things are getting tougher for Warner with the attack the South Africans have got,” Ponting added. “Well, it’s never easy in India either. We know what wickets we will get there. We will get turning pitches. No doubt. It’s never been easy for any Australian batsman going there and trying to play in those conditions.

“Then on the back of that, what’s after that? The Ashes, in England as well. We will get conditions that will suit (Stuart) Broad, (James) Anderson and (Ollie) Robinson.”

Steve Smith can see runs coming for David Warner

Speaking after Australia's victory in Adelaide, Steve Smith suggested the saga surrounding Warner's leadership ban had taken a toll. Last week Warner announced that he was abandoning his push to overturn the lifetime ban he received for his part in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

Cricket Australia seemed willing to lift the ban and wanted Warner to continue his appeal. However the 36-year-old didn't want to put his family through a public hearing that an independent hearing had insisted upon.

"From my point of view, banning for life from leadership is just fundamentally wrong," Smith said. "David served his time like I did.

"For us, we know he's a leader around the group, and on and off the field he's doing a tremendous job. It's been a difficult one for him, it's been a difficult week. David has said he's done and dusted (with the appeal) and get on with it."

Asked if it had been a distraction for the team throughout the T20 World Cup and Frank Worrell Trophy, Smith said it was a bigger issue for Warner. "It has been more of a distraction for Davey, no doubt, going through that himself," Smith said.

"He's got our full support. Hopefully he can have a really big series for us against South Africa with the bat."

Warner has previously indicated he wants to tour both India and England next year before retiring from Test cricket. However he knows he needs runs to keep the pressure off.

Smith said he could see there were still runs in Warner. "For me it's in his body language the way he goes out there .He's really positive and just in a good frame of mind," Smith said.

"Particularly yesterday when he went out to bat he was in a good frame of mind, the way his feet were moving was really sharp. He's batting well, so no real concerns there."

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood will miss the first Test against South Africa with a side strain. However captain Pat Cummins will return after sitting out the Adelaide Test with a thigh complaint.

with AAP

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