'We're optimistic with what Dave's got left'
David Warner
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Virat Kohli uncertain about future Australia tours but rules out retirement
16 Mar 25
Australia coach Andrew McDonald believes veteran opener David Warner can have a strong impact during the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against India and Ashes series with England.
Warner has struggled to make much of an impact in England conditions in recent times and mustered just 95 runs at a miserly average of 9.50 across five Tests during Australia's last Ashes series away from home.
But McDonald has thrown his support behind the experienced left-hander and believes he can make a healthy contribution across the hectic six-Test schedule that includes the World Test Championship final and Ashes series.
“We're optimistic with what Dave's got left," McDonald said on Australian radio station SEN on Wednesday.
"We've picked him in the squad, and we feel that he's going to play a really significant part in the Ashes and the World Test Championship Final and that's why he's on the plane.
"We think he's got some good games left in him.
Warner broke a drought of almost two years without a Test century when he amassed a superb 200 against South Africa during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year and looked to be in reasonable touch when scoring 516 runs from 14 IPL matches with the Delhi Capitals in even more recent times.
McDonald said he was buoyed by Warner's form at the IPL and was quick to point out the 36-year-old's successful haul of five half-centuries and 416 runs against England during Australia's 2015 Ashes series in England.
“I think he can draw on some positive experiences in England,” McDonald said.
“In 2015, I think it was eight (sic) half-centuries and he averaged mid-forties.
“So, he's had success there, it's not as though he hasn't had success in those conditions.
“We're backing him to draw on everything that he's got, I think leading into the Boxing Day Test the doomsday people are out there as well.
“He's got still plenty to draw upon and we saw it early in the IPL as well.
“We saw a trend up in terms of his form there … the doubters were out again around his game and then he was able to rebound and respond.
“He's in a good head space, I spoke to him as recently as yesterday and he's ready to go and he's really excited to get back into camp and see the boys."
