Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy is highly optimistic about David Warner’s Test cricket future following the veteran opener’s outstanding 164 runs in the hosts’ triumphant first Test against Pakistan at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Healy commended Warner’s endurance and fitness, emphasizing, “What I love about him is his durability. We all know how fit he must be because he’s maintained his pace between wickets. I just love the way that he kept going and his feet moved.”
Expressing his disagreement with premature retirement talks, Healy echoed, “Why have a swansong if you’re still performing like that? If he bats like that, he can go another year for mine until he doesn’t want to play anymore.”
Also Read: Pep Guardiola Eager as Manchester City Aims for FIFA Club World Cup Triumph
While acknowledging Warner’s first-innings brilliance, Healy highlighted its pivotal impact on the Test, remarking, “That 160 he made in the first innings won us a Test in Perth. I like the way Michael Slater made tough second-inning batting conditions look. Mark Waugh could also make a mockery out of tough conditions, but David Warner was outstanding.”
Despite Warner’s dismissal for a duck in the second innings, Healy underscored the significance of Warner’s contribution, suggesting he should have been considered for Player of the Match honors. Healy expressed, “I would have put him man of the match… I would be putting David Warner as Man of the Match.”
Healy’s unwavering praise signals confidence in Warner’s ability to continue making substantial contributions to Australian Test cricket, challenging notions of an impending retirement for the seasoned batsman.
