Australia registered a thrilling win by defeating England by two wickets in the first Test of Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston and went 1-0 up in the series. The Pat Cummins-led side ticked a lot of boxes during the game, however, the uncertainty with David Warner at the top order remains a big concern for Australia heading ahead in the series.
The southpaw got dismissed by his old nemesis Stuart Broad in the first innings as he dragged a ball back onto his stumps on 9. In the second innings, the Aussie opener looked set for a big score batting on 36, however, his innings was cut short by Ollie Robinson who got him caught behind. Amid questions being raised on his place in the team, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald was impressed with Warner’s outings during the game.
“The way that he moved in the second innings with the intent that he had, along with the first innings at The Oval in the World Test Championship Final, anyone watching that would say those movement patterns are good, the intent that he had, the way that he was going about it is the way we want him to play and put pressure back on to England,” McDonald was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
McDonald further said that the opener will go big going ahead in the series.
“He didn’t get the big score that he wanted but I think he put a lot of pressure on them and at 70/0, he was looking pretty impressive then he feathers one through… There’s a big score around the corner, no doubt,” he added.
Stuart Broad to continue troubling Warner in the Ashes?
Notably, Warner has recently expressed his wish of retiring in front of his home crowd in Sydney in January 2024 during the Test series against Pakistan. However, the 36-year-old will have to perform exceedingly well in the ongoing Ashes to keep his place in the side or else he might get dropped midway.
Warner has struggled big time in England as he could only manage to score 95 runs in ten innings in Ashes 2019 averaging 9.5. Stuart Broad has been his chief tormenter during his career as the English seamer has dismissed him 15 times in Tests. The Aussie opener will be eager to find a way to cope with the challenges of England’s bowling attack as Australia prepare themselves for the second Test beginning on June 28 at Lord’s in London.