David Warner tenders his retirement from representing Australia (Saeed Khan)
Test opening great David Warner has told Australian selectors that he is likely to come out of retirement to play in the home series against India.
The 37-year-old batsman said he was “seriously considering” an offer to return for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which begins in Perth on November 22.
Steve Smith wants to move back to number four in the batting order and the selectors will be looking for an opening partner for Usman Khawaja.
Left-handed Warner, who retired after the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney in January, told Australia manager Andrew McDonald that he was open to returning.
But McDonald’s seems lukewarm to the idea.
Warner told News Corp on Tuesday: “I’m always available, I just pick up the phone,” adding he would be a better option than candidates who have just started the new season of the domestic Sheffield Shield competition. Ta.
“I’m always serious. To be honest, the players have played one red-ball game since the last Test match in February, so I’ve been preparing pretty much the same.
“Honestly, if they really wanted me for this series, I would be happy to go and play in the next Shield game.”
Warner said McDonald’s response does not suggest a recall is imminent.
“His answer to me was, ‘You’re retired,'” Warner said.
“I don’t think he wants me to be happy and say, ‘Will you come back?’”
Warner, who has scored 8,786 runs in 112 Tests, has recently been involved in limited-overs franchise competitions in Canada and the Cayman Islands.
Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matthew Renshaw are all considered candidates to partner Khawaja against India.
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