Former Australia Test captain Michael Clarke has expressed his disappointment with David Warner’s statement about ‘opening partner’ ahead of the red-ball series against India. Clarke, however, didn’t find the overall statement wrong but what he finds wrong is the way his statement has been written in the articles.
Clarke feels that after reading the articles’ headlines, Will Pucovski’s sentiments might get hurt. Will Pucovski’s performance in Sheffield Shield is brilliant and is demanding a reward. Talking about Joe Burns, his performance in domestic cricket was disappointing and will likely be overlooked as has been suggested by head coach Justin Langer and Test captain Tim Paine.
“How does Will Pucovski feel sitting on the sideline reading this in the paper? If he does get a nod, he’s walking out to bat with David Warner and he’s reading a headline — if you read the article it’s very different to the headline. David Warner doesn’t sit there and say ‘I want Joe Burns, I don’t want Will’ but if you read the headline that’s how it comes across,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“So unless Will Pucovski is reading every word, he’s going to think ‘David doesn’t want to open the batting with me, he wants to open with Joe Burns’. So it’s a horrible position for everyone to be in.”
“His [Warner’s] comments are fine. He respects Joe Burns, he enjoys batting with Joe Burns, he’s good friends with Joe Burns, but he’s not a selector.”
Earlier this week, Cricket Australia (CA) selector Trevor Hohns had said that the committee would consult David Warner to decide on who should open with the left-handed batsman in the Adelaide Test against India.
Surprised That They Are Asking Warner To Make Decision: Ricky Ponting
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, however, didn’t seem happy with this decision of the selectors and wants the selectors to make the decision and not a player.
“I’m surprised they’re even asking him [Warner], to be honest. I know what they’re talking about because they have done well when they’ve played together. It’s an interesting thing for a selector to come out and say,” Ponting added.
“At the end of the day, they’ve just got to pick who they think the best player is. And if they think their best player and best option is Joe Burns, then stick with him. If they think Pucovski is a better player here and now, they should go with him. I’m just reading the tea leaves a little bit, even with what Justin had to say about the relationship between Burns and Warner, my gut feeling is they won’t go to Pucovski just yet,” he said.