How is David Warner’s form leading up to the Ashes?

In just three days, Edgbaston will host the opening Ashes test match. The Australian team will face a difficult battle this time in England with five tests scheduled over the course of six weeks. The Australian batting order will be under strain since England’s ‘Bazball‘ style of play has produced outstanding success for them in the previous year. However, the more important question is: Will Bazball work in the Ashes? After overcoming India to win the World Test Championship, the Australian squad will be cautious about the performance of their openers, notably David Warner in England.

David Warner in tests

David Warner has long since established himself as Australia’s go-to opening option in tests. The New South Wales opener, 36, has amassed nearly 8,200 runs in the longest format at a respectable average of 45.31. In the format, he has 25 centuries and 34 half-centuries. But Warner’s recent batting struggles would be a concern for Australia.

Warner has been having trouble in Test matches since 2022. Warner has played in 15 games throughout this time and has only amassed 651 runs at an average of just 26.04. The southpaw batter has only recorded one century and two half-centuries during the 26 innings. Warner has also been dismissed three times in this period for a duck. 

Many would contend that Warner’s Ashes performance wasn’t all that horrible. The opener has amassed 1888 runs at an average of 38.53, with six ducks, three centuries, and 14 half-centuries. But these numbers do not provide the complete picture. Warner has been battling the moving ball for a while now, and it’s obvious.

David Warner in Tests in England

Warner has played 14 games in England. He has scored 695 runs in those 14 games, averaging just 25.74 runs per dismissal. He has only seven times exceeded the 50-run threshold and is yet to score a century in England. His six ducks, four of them came while playing in England. 

He’ll wish to forget his most recent visit to England in 2019. Warner had only scored 95 runs and averaged just 9.5 runs per dismissal in the 2019 Ashes series. He only managed one 50 during that tour and was three times dismissed for a duck.

David Warner against Stuart Broad

The topic of conversation coming up to this Ashes has been his battle with England’s top wicket-taker. In the Ashes, Stuart Broad has taken the most wickets for England. In 35 games, Broad has taken 131 wickets. Only 150 runs have been scored by Warner against Broad in 22 innings. Against Broad, the Australian opening batter only averages 18.75.

Warner was also in the right-arm fast bowler’s back pocket for the 2019 Ashes. Against the 36-year-old, Warner only scored 35 runs and was out seven times.

What can Australia do?

Can Warner be replaced as an opener? No. There aren’t many Australian batters who can replace Warner at the top right now. On Warner’s position in the starting XI, Ian Chappell was questioned. Chappell while talking about who could replace Warner said, “The replacements? Harris hasn’t proved anything, and Bancroft hasn’t proved anything. The best of them is Pucovski, but it’s very difficult to pick him when he’s had 10 or 11 concussions. So, opening is a major problem for Australia down the track.”

When Warner takes on the English fast bowlers in the Ashes, it will be another fascinating match. Only time will tell if his returns will be similar to those from the past or if they will differ this time.

Also Read: What is Bazball? Will it work in the Ashes?

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