Justin Langer's scary David Warner reveal amid Ashes audition

David Warner entered the crease at The Oval under immense pressure to perform in the Test Championship Final against India ahead of the Ashes and he may have done just enough to silence the doubters for a little longer after a solid knock. Warner has been under pressure for months to hold onto his spot at the top of the order heading into the Ashes with the opener struggling for runs.

Not only has he struggled for runs at home and abroad, his record in the 2019 Ashes saw him average 9.5 in a disastrous display. Coach Andrew McDonald has remained faithful towards the Aussie batter as pressure mounted.

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And Warner needed runs against India in the Test Championship final to silence the doubters. And while he didn't make the statement he would have hoped, Warner probably did enough to buy himself time having scored a solid 43 to set-up Australia's innings.

Aussie cricket great Matthew Hayden was left impressed with Warner's innings, which saw him take the ball on early and played more to his trademark style.

"You can see from his body language that he was right into the match," Hayden said on Channel 7 commentary. "When the sun started flowing, so too did the runs. He was brilliant."

Former coach Justin Langer praises David Warner

Hayden's former batting partner, and former Australian coach, Justin Langer echoed the sentiment on Warner. "He played off the front foot and the back foot...that's a sign David Warner's in good form," he said in commentary. This could be a scary sign for the English if Warner is finding form in the twilight of his career ahead of his final Ashes series.

Warner did survive a tough spell at the beginning of the match, which saw his in-form partner Usman Khawaja depart for zero after 10 balls. Warner scored playing square, but eventually was out when edging the ball to a Shardul Thakur delivery just before lunch.

Much of the talk leading into the Test Championship final and the Ashes was on Warner's spot after a poor run of form. Arguements on whether Marcus Harris should open with Warner emerged, while Travis Head's name was tossed around after a strong series at the top of the order in India.

However, not only has Warner appeared to showcase he may have one last big series left, Head also showed why he is invaluable at No.5. The South Australian came in with Australia languishing after losing Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.

Smith was toiling away, but Head came in and took the game to the Indian quicks having scored close to a -run-a-ball century to help Australia to 3-327 runs after day 1.

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