Aussie star Warner struggles again in India

Oliver Caffrey | February 17, 2023

Another scrappy innings from David Warner in India has put added scrutiny on the Test future of one of Australia’s finest opening batters.

Warner batted bravely for his 15 on day one of the second Test in Delhi but was still the first wicket to fall on Friday.

He endured a difficult, and at times, torturous 15-over stay at the crease, taking 22 balls to get off the mark.

Warner will be assessed by team medical staff after suffering a blow to an elbow when he was on two and then being hit again on six when a bouncer from Mohammed Siraj slammed into his helmet.

He failed to field when India batted for nine overs before stumps.

“(Warner) is a little bit weary at the moment,” fellow Australia opener Usman Khawaja said.

“A knock to the arm and then to the head has made him a little bit weary at the moment.”

Just like his two knocks in Nagpur, Warner appeared unsure of the best way to face India’s bowling and got stuck playing too defensively.

Warner’s Test record in India is dismal. He now averages 21.78 there, having also failed with one and 10 in the Border-Gavaskar series opener.

He was under pressure entering the Australian summer but hit a stunning 200 in the Boxing Day Test to end a near three-year Test century drought to book his spot for a third red-ball tour of India.

The Australian camp have disputed various reports claiming Travis Head is a contender to replace Warner at the top of the order.

There have been warning signs the end is near for Warner, with the left-hander explaining he felt “exhausted, tired” ahead of this blockbuster tour.

Warner has previously said he wanted to continue playing Tests until at least the end of this year’s Ashes in England – a country where he has also had trouble making runs.

Khawaja backed Warner to find form before the end of the series.

“Three innings is not enough for me – I think there’s still a long way to go in this Test series,” Khawaja said.

“Dave has been such a terrific player for such a long time. 

“Every time his back is against the wall he produces something so we’ll see.”

Warner is averaging 45.47 from 103 Tests, hitting 25 centuries – the eighth most by an Australian.