As the pressure on David Warner intensifies to retain his place at the top of the Australian Test cricket order, his wife Candice has made a cryptic post that could indicate the end is near.
Warner’s position is once again in question as he faces scrutiny after falling prey to Stuart Broad’s bowling on two occasions within seven balls during Australia’s three-wicket Ashes loss at Headingley.
Although Warner has shown promise with a number of decent starts and a half-century in the past month, he has yet to deliver the kind of substantial score that would solidify his position until his planned retirement in January.
This lack of significant contributions has raised doubts about his ability to retain his spot at the top of Australia’s batting order.
Cricket Australia had previously announced a squad for the opening three Tests of the Ashes series, with that squad to be revised for the final and decisive matches.
Candice and David Warner pose with their children Indi Rae, Ivy Mae and Isla Rose at Headingley after Australia fell just short of victory against England in the third Ashes Test
Candice Warner and the family are heading home and she posted this message which has led many to believe that husband David might not be opening the batting for much longer
Last drinks? Warner enjoys a cold beer with friends and family after the Ashes loss at Headingley where he returned scores of 4 and 1 in the Test loss
Injured spinner Nathan Lyon will be one omission and Warner is treading dangerously close to being another.
A number of former Test cricket stars have called for Warner to make way and with allrounder Cameron Green returning from injury, Mitch Marsh could be elevated to the top of the order after scoring a century on return to the Test side.
The speculation on Warner’s future has been further heightened by a post from his wife Candice after the Headingley Test.
‘The end of an era for us touring with test cricket, it’s been fun. Forever your biggest supporters and your girl gang. Love you @davidwarner31,’ she posted on Instagram along with a family photo at Headingley.
Some took the post as a sign that Warner is set to retire from cricket prematurely, despite signaling his intent to play on with an Aussie home summer swansong.
‘Good luck on retirement mate! fair play to announce it Matt Renshaw has his chance at Old Trafford then,’ a follower posted.
But other followers of Candice were quick to point out that the post was about the family’s last tour of England, not quitting cricket altogether.
‘It’s not about retirement she is saying that this is her last trip with him for the test series for abroad,’ one follower posted.
‘End of an era ‘ touring’ not retiring,’ added another.
Australian selectors find themselves confronted with a difficult decision.
They will have to choose between Marsh and Green for the upcoming Test match, unless Warner is displaced and one of the allrounders is given the opportunity to open the innings.
Green smashed two stunning half-centuries at a whopping strike rate of 214.54 against India as an opener in ODI cricket while Marsh has had success opening the batting for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Marsh stormed back into the Test team after a four-year absence and made a swashbuckling 118 with the bat, but it his ability with the ball that could secure his place in the fourth Test
Cummins and the Aussie selectors have tough calls to make, with one of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh or Cameron Green likely to miss out on the fourth Test
Allrounder Green missed the third Ashes Test with a hamstring strain but is expected to be fully fit and available for selection in the fourth match of the series
Meanwhile Test skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that Warner’s place in the lineup is not guaranteed.
Cummins hailed the remarkable performance of Marsh, adding that it would be incredibly challenging to overlook his contributions at Old Trafford, which could leave Warner as odd man out.
‘You keep all options open,’ Cummins said.
‘We’ve got nine or 10 days now, so we’ll take a deep breath. We’ll go away for a few days.
‘But everyone comes back into it. Greeny should be fit for Manchester. Josh (Hazlewood) will be back in there as well.
‘So we should have a full roster and we’ll have a look at the wicket and have a chat and work out the best XI.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk