David Warner hopeful of playing Ashes in 2023 despite early end to India tour

Australia's veteran opener David Warner said that he would want to continue playing international cricket until 2024 and that he would focus on white-ball cricket if the selectors don't deem him suitable anymore to play Test cricket. Warner was sent back home from the India tour after 2 forgettable outings with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 campaign.

David Warner was backed for India tour even as the senior opener was struggling for form in red-ball cricket. Warner scored a double hundred in his 100th Test in in December against South Africa. However, the left-hander managed just 571 runs in 11 Tests in 2022 at an average of just over 30.

Warner was all at sea against both spin and pace bowling against India in the Nagpur and Delhi Tests as Australia's batting crumbled against the spin twins of R Ashwin and Raviindra Jadeja. Warner managed 26 runs in the 3 innings he played before he was replaced due to concussion in the second innings of the 2nd Test in Delhi.

"I've always said I'm playing to 2024; if the selectors feel that I'm not worthy of my spot (in Tests), then so be it, and I can push on to the white-ball stuff," Warner told reporters at Sydney Airport after arriving in Australia.

However, the 36-year-old said he is hopeful of making it to the Ashes, later this year. Australia will be hoping to get something out of the



remaining two Tests in India despite having conceded the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to India.

Australia will be hopeful of reaching the World Test Championship final as well as a draw will help them get a berth for the Oval final in June. It will be interesting to see if Australia consider Warner for the big-ticket contest ahead of the Ashes, starting June 16.

"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," Warner said.

"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," he added.

On Wednesday, Australia selector Tony Dodemaide refused to comment on Warner's Test future and whether he would be considered for Ashes selection.

"We'll address the Ashes planning (at a later time), but we are committed to picking the best fit and available players for Test series, particularly something as big as the Ashes," he had said.

Warner, however, has been included in Australia's 16-member ODI squad for the three-match series in India, starting March 17 in Mumbai.