Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Ian Healy believes David Warner can play another year of Test cricket, after scoring a brilliant century in the opener of his farewell series against Pakistan in Perth earlier last week.
The 37-year-old, who scored a match-winning 164 off 211 balls in the first innings in the opening Test, which Australia won by 360 runs, is playing his series swansong. He is likely to make a bid for the longest format of the game after the third Test in Sydney on his home ground.
Love his durability: Ian Healy
“What I like about him is his durability. We all know how fit he is because he kept up the pace between the wickets. I liked the way he kept moving and his feet moved,” Healy told SEN Radio.
“That’s the part I agree with about Mitchell Johnson and what he said about ‘why do you have a swansong, the last three years haven’t been very good and now you’re choosing how you can retire.’
“But if he bats like that, he could spend another year for me not wanting to play anymore. That’s what he was missing in Test cricket, that movement and balance and real bat speed when he needs it,” he added.
Perth roles ‘were not easy’
Given his recent poor run in Test cricket, Warner faced a lot of criticism for publicly declaring that he hoped to end his Test career after this series in Sydney by former teammate Mitchell Johnson.
Johnson felt that the series against Pakistan should have been used to choose Warner’s successor. However, Healy feels the southpaw’s century in difficult conditions won Australia the match in Perth.
“His 160 in the first innings won us a Test in Perth. It wasn’t easy. I looked at it from afar on Thursday afternoon and said, ‘Oh my God, I don’t want to be a Pakistani.’ They will feel a foot shorter than they already are.” Tomorrow afternoon without knowing how difficult the conditions would be.
“Pakistan may have missed the trick in the first session (on day one), as their bowling was so short, but I don’t know anyone else who can make 160 so quickly in difficult conditions. I like the way Michael Slater batted in a difficult second innings.” Circumstances look. Mark Waugh could also have made fun of the difficult circumstances, but David Warner was great,” Healy explained.
The second Test of the series will begin on Boxing Day, i.e. December 26, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
(With Reuters inputs)