‘Not happening’: David Warner’s wife Candice rules out AUS opener coming out of retirement to face India in BGT | Cricket News
Despite former Australia opener David Warner expressing his interest to come out of retirement and facing India if needed in the upcoming Borger Gavaskar trophy, his wife Candice brushed it off as a joke and confirmed that it’s not going to happen.
“I just got him home a lit bit more and I’m thinking, what the hell? What’s going on now? He’s very passionate about playing for Australia and I think if George Bailey, the selector, or Andrew McDonald, the coach, picked up the phone and said ‘we need you’, he would jump at it. (But) It’s definitely not going to happen,” she said to Fox Sports’ The Back Page.
“I think if he genuinely didn’t think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn’t have said that but that’s not any disrespect to any of the openers or people (in the selection mix). If he was to have gone down that path to play again, he would have had to have done it just like everyone else. Play Sheffield Shield and everything like that. But it’s not happening. End of discussion,” she added.
The 37-year-old had retired last year from Test cricket, but with Cameron Green out of the side and Steve Smith most likely moving back to number four spot in the XI, a vacancy opened up at the top of the order – a position Warner held for over a decade.
“I’m always available, (the selectors have) just got to pick up the phone,” Warner had told News Corp a few days ago.
When asked about Warner’s comments, Australia skipper Pat Cummins reacted to the former opener’s ambition and said that he just wanted to stay relevant on the back page of the newspapers.
“Davey we are very interested,” Cummins said on a podcast, The Grade Cricketers. “We are taking it very seriously. We will be in touch mate,” said Cummins with a laugh.
The Australian captain revealed the chat he has had with David Warner regarding his plans of a comeback.
“I did speak to Davey a couple of days ago. I can’t remember if he raised it or I did. He asked, ‘What do you think?’ And I was like,’ Yeah, good luck with Thunder (Sydney) this year.’
“I look forward to your comments on Fox,” said Cummins.
“I reckon he doesn’t mind seeing himself on the back page. We love Davey, but he is retired. Sorry mate!”