The first Ashes test match will take place in just three days at Edgbaston. With five tests in a span of six weeks, the Australian team will face a tough challenge this time around in England. For full Ashes schedule read this article. With England’s ‘Bazball’ style of play getting them huge results in the last year, the Australian batting order will be under pressure. Although the bigger question is will Bazball work in the Ashes? Australian team after defeating India to win the World Test Championship will be wary of their openers’ form, especially David Warner’s form in England.
David Warner in tests
David Warner in tests has become a rock-solid opening option for Australia for many years now. The 36-year-old opener from New South Wales has scored close to 8,200 runs in the longest format at a healthy average of 45.31. He has 25 centuries and 34 half-centuries in the format. The concern for Australia would be Warner’s recent struggle with the bat.
Since 2022, Warner has been going through poor form in Tests. During this period, Warner has played 15 matches and has scored only 651 runs at an average of just 26.04. During the 26 innings, the southpaw batter has scored only one century and two half-centuries. Warner has also been dismissed for a duck thrice in the period.
Many would argue that Warner’s performance in the Ashes is not that bad. The opener has scored 1888 runs at an average of 38.53 with three centuries and 14 half-centuries including 6 ducks. But these stats do not tell the whole story. Warner’s struggle against the moving ball has been apparent for quite some time now.
David Warner in Tests in England
Warner has played 14 matches in England with the red ball. In those 14 matches, he has scored 695 runs at an average of just 25.74 runs per dismissal. He is yet to score a century in England and has only crossed the 50-run mark seven times. Four of his six ducks have come while playing in England.
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He will want to forget the last time he was there in England in 2019. Warner in the Ashes in 2019 series had scored just 95 runs and averaged just 9.5 runs per dismissal. He scored only one 50 in that tour and was dismissed for a duck thrice.
David Warner against Stuart Broad
His struggle against England’s leading wicket-taker has been the talking point leading up to this Ashes. Stuart Broad is England’s leading wicket-taker in the Ashes. Broad has taken 131 wickets in 35 matches. Warner has scored just 150 runs in 22 innings against Broad. The Australian opener averages just 18.75 against Broad.
The right-arm fast bowler had Warner in his pocket in the 2019 Ashes as well. Warner managed to score just 35 runs against the 36-year-old while getting dismissed 7 times.
What can Australia do?
Is there any opener who can replace Warner? No. Currently, there is hardly any Australian batter who can take Warner’s place at the top. Ian Chappell was asked to comment on Warner’s place in the playing XI. Chappell while talking about who could replace Warner said, “The replacements? Harris hasn’t proved anything, and Bancroft hasn’t proved anything. The best of them is Pucovski, but it’s very difficult to pick him when he’s had 10 or 11 concussions. So, opening is a major problem for Australia down the track.”
It will be another mouth-watering battle when Warner comes face to face against the English fast bowlers in the Ashes. Will he have similar returns he has had in the or will it be different this time only time will tell.
Also Read: Ashes: Moeen Ali is back in squad, a look at his performance
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