Darren Lehmann's staggering call on David Warner move for Ashes
The former Aussie coach has made a shock call for the veteran's role in the team.
Former Aussie coach Darren Lehmann has called for David Warner to be moved into the middle order for the Ashes Tour after struggling for runs in his recent form. Warner's role in the team has come under intense scrutiny after another poor tour of India, which saw him struggle in the first two Tests.
There has been calls for the veteran to be dropped due to his form in the last three years - especially on tour - with the Ashes coming up later this year. His numbers don't make for pretty reading.
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Scores of 10 and one in Nagpur has seen Warner's average drop to 21.78 in India across his career. Other than his double century at the MCG last year, Warner's most recent scores read 15, 10, 1, 10, 3, 0, 28, 21, 48, 5, 24, 5, 10* and 25.
Unfortunately for Warner, the opener was sent home with a fractured elbow, but is set to return for the One Day International series. Regardless, pressure is mounting on the 36-year-old who wants to fight for his spot in the Ashes.
To make matters worse for Warner, his record in England isn't too far off his Indian record. Warner averages only 26.04 from 25 innings when facing the Duke ball. Stuart Broad has dismissed the left-hander the most of any bowler in Test cricket.
And in response to the mounting pressure, former coach Lehmann has suggested moving the 103-match veteran down the order to keep him in the team. “David Warner, if he’s in form, he’s got something to add. The issue for me would be he’s been there three times and hasn’t made a 100,” he told SENQ's Pat and Heals.
“I thought in the last Ashes series he should bat down (the order) and bat five or six, something different, because he can really expose their bowling down the order.
“We just keep him as an opener… but David Warner, if he’s not succeeding at the top, could bat down, you could swap Warner and (Travis) Head. Sometimes you’ve got to think outside the box to see who’s going to succeed."
Lehmann expects Warner to travel with the team due to his experience. However, he isn't sure he will play due to his recent struggles.
“My gut feel is they’ll take him in the squad (for the Ashes), but will they play him? I’m not so sure,” Lehmann continued. "But if you take him in the squad you might as well play him, or don’t take him at all.”
David Warner keen for Ashes selection
Despite constant pressure over his selection, Warner has remained bullish over his spot. And the veteran opener is ready to see out the year as one of the leaders of the team.
"I've always said I'm playing to 2024; if the selectors feel that I'm not worthy of my spot, then so be it, and I can push on to the white-ball stuff," Warner told reporters at Sydney Airport upon his return from India after the second Test. "I've got the next 12 months, a lot of cricket's ahead for the team and if I can keep scoring runs and putting my best foot forward for the team and I can help my spot, it'd be great for the team.
"It's easy pickings (for critics) when you're 36 going on 37. I've seen it before with the ex-players as well.
"So for me if I'm taking pressure off the rest of the other guys, and no one's worrying about the rest of the team, I'm happy to do that."
with AAP
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