Phil Hughes says troubled star David Warner will have the full support of the Australian dressing room should he be selected for next week’s first Ashes Test.
Hughes, who was one of the players out drinking with Warner on the night he punched England rival Joe Root in a Birmingham nightclub, says his long-time teammate would “always” be welcomed back into the fold.
Warner’s actions sent Australia’s Champions Trophy defence spiralling into freefall and his suspension means if picked for Trent Bridge, he’ll go into the match without having had a hit for a month.
But after new coach Darren Lehmann declared Warner would start with a clean slate, it seems as though players also believe the troubled batsman has served his time and is duly remorseful.
Hughes said Warner has been batting well in practice and news of his return would be well received by the players.
“Always will. Dave has been an outstanding player on the international scene for a couple of years, he’s great to have around,” Hughes said.
“We’ll wait and see what the selectors do there but he’s been training very hard behind the scenes.
“Dave’s in a very good place now and he’s been focused on the red ball, doing the hard yakka. We’ll have to wait and see if he’s selected. “
Warner will return to the middle order if picked and will most likely compete with the in-form Steve Smith for the No.6 position in the batting order.
Smith scored 68 not out against Worcestershire for the Australians and also posted two tons on the Australia A tour.
Before his suspension, Warner hadn’t passed 50 in his last 10 innings.