Lehmann Backs Warner's Ashes Inclusion, Suggests Unconventional Batting Order
Warner has struggled in Test format recently [AP Photos]
Former Australia head coach, Darren Lehmann feels opener David Warner, who has been struggling with his Test form, could still make it to the Ashes squad. The ex-coach believes that the batsman could make an impact if he is played in a different position in the batting order.
Lehmann suggests that Cricket Australia (CA) could provide a fitting farewell for Warner by moving him down the order in the Ashes. The Aussie veteran, who has overseen the dynamic left-hander's career for a significant part of his playing days, stated that the selectors would need to consider his track record in England, where he has failed to score a century in 25 Test innings.
“David Warner, if he’s in form, he’s got something to add. The issue for me would be he’s been there (England) three times and hasn’t made a 100," Lehmann told SEN Radio on Wednesday.
The former cricketer believes that the southpaw could be more effective if he is played in the middle order, where he could expose England's bowling attack.
Furthermore, Lehmann opined that the team management should be more flexible with Warner and Travis Head's batting positions. He believes that swapping their positions could be a viable option, and the team should consider thinking outside the box to determine who would succeed.
“I thought in the last Ashes series he should bat down (the order) and bat five or six, something different, because he can really expose their bowling down the order. We just keep him as an opener but David Warner, if he’s not succeeding at the top, could bat down, you could swap Warner and (Travis) Head. Sometimes you’ve got to think outside the box to see who’s going to succeed," the erstwhile batter added.
The 53-year-old acknowledged that England's veteran seamers, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, could pose a significant challenge for Warner, who has struggled against them in the past. The former coach's gut feeling is that the struggling opener would make it to the Ashes squad, and it would be up to the selectors to determine if he would be included in the playing eleven.
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