Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke says the suspended David Warner does not deserve the added punishment of not being considered for the first Test.
Clarke dismissed the notion that allowing Warner to walk straight back into the Test side could send an ambiguous message about rewarding ill-discipline.
The skipper was keeping his cards close to his chest when discussing selection and refused to confirm he would bat at No.4 in the Tests even though that’s where he lined-up in both practice matches and scored a hundred and two 50s.
On Friday, the Australians’ four-day contest with Worcestershire ended in a draw.
When asked about Warner, Clarke went as far to say that the big hitter’s game, built on instinct, means he can get away with playing a Test without match practice.
Clarke said it was up to selectors, but if Warner misses the cut for Trent Bridge it would have nothing to do with the wayward batsman’s drunken antics in a Birmingham bar last month.
“I think he’s certainly served his punishment. His punishment was no cricket up until the first Test match,” Clarke said.
“Now it’s about working out what our best team is. I don’t believe David won’t be selected because of punishment.”
Warner hasn’t played since the Champions Trophy opener against England, which was the prelude to his punching rival Joe Root at 2.30 in the morning during a big night out with players from both sides.
Before he was suspended, Warner had seven single-figure scores and two ducks from ten innings in shorter-form cricket.
He has been solid in Tests but hasn’t scored a hundred since November 2012.
If selected, Warner is likely to be reincarnated as a middle-order batsman rather than an opener.
Clarke says the 26-year-old can make an instant impact.
“Certainly selectors are going to take into consideration that he hasn’t played much cricket over the past couple of weeks,” Clarke said.
“But on the other side of that, the type of player Davey is, it’s more about his mind being clear and playing with that intent.
“I don’t think Dave is the type of player that needs two four-day games and make some runs to feel confident.
“If he’s in the right place batting well in the nets I’m confident if the selectors do decide to pick him he can walk straight out into the first Test and make a hundred.”
It would appear Warner’s main rival for the No.6 position is Steve Smith, who made a 68 against Worcestershire to go with two hundreds for Australia A.
Even though Smith was only a late inclusion in the Ashes squad, Clarke said he’s in contention.
“I certainly have never seen him as a reserve player,” he said.
On the final day in Worcester, Australia’s bowlers couldn’t strike the killer blow on a flat wicket, with the home side digging in to finish 5-274, still 183 short of their victory target.
