Australia star Steve Smith believes David Warner will thrive under pressure as the out-of-form veteran fights to save his Test career on Boxing Day.
Key points:
- Dave Warner could be playing for his Test future on Boxing Day as he endures an awful start to the summer
- Steve Smith has backed the veteran opener to turn things around at the MCG
- Warner has not made a Test century since January of 2020
Warner is running out of chances to bow out of red-ball cricket on his own terms after being removed for a golden duck and three by South Africa spearhead Kagiso Rabada during the two-day Gabba Test.
The 36-year-old has not made a Test century since January 2020, and failed to pass 50 against West Indies during big wins in Perth and Adelaide.
Warner hopes to play Test cricket until at least the end of next year’s Ashes, with a tour of India looming before the five-match series in England.
But the decision could be taken out of his hands after averaging just 20.61 in 10 Tests this year.
Warner’s long-time national and state teammate Smith has backed him to turn it around as he prepares to play his 100th Test when Australia takes on South Africa at the MCG.
“You only have to look back a (few) weeks ago (to) a one-day game out here (at the MCG) against England, he scored 100 on what was a pretty tough wicket,” Smith said on Wednesday.
“We’ve seen David when his back’s up against the wall, he’s done pretty well.”
Smith pointed to last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Dubai, when Warner was struggling but was able to turn it around and be named player of the tournament.
“It doesn’t matter what format of the game, Davey always plays in a pretty similar way, which has been the beauty of him in Test cricket, being able to take the game on from ball one,” Smith said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t work, and he hasn’t had a great deal of luck lately.”
AAP
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