Warner Wants To Play Test Cricket

Seems to me as though David Warner is the real deal when he says he wants to play test cricket. It was obvious to all at the back end of last season that Warner offered a lot in the longest format of the game. Warner has long been a reliable run scorer, one of the best for several years in Sydney's first grade competition. When the opportunity arises I can see him taking it with both hands, not letting anyone down and becoming a successful player in all forms of the game.

The 24 year old has impressed in his nine first class appearances so far for New South Wales and Australia A. An average of 53.35 is more than impressive and if sustained it will surely ask questions of the test selectors. While Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawja linger as the top two preferences in the Australian squad, Warner will surely play the entire Sheffield Shield season. Plenty of game time in the longest format will allow him the chance to further prove his credentials.

For the moment Warner will be firmly focused on the Champions League Twenty 20 which will be followed by a trip to South Africa with the Australia T20 and ODI squads. The call up into the ODI squad is another massive boost to Warner who has been on a hot streak of run scoring form across all formats. A fantastic tour to Zimbabwe with Australia A, a great finish to the Sheffield Shield season and solid start to the Champions League all reflect well on the aggressive left-hand opener.

Recent scores include 38, 20, 16 and 53 in T20's, 211, 48 and 82 in first class cricket in addition to 120 in a one day match and 152 during a tour match. With a sport where scores and stats tell the biggest story, Warner is surely in selectors minds, most evident through his selection in the one day squad travelling to South Africa. As with most potential players of the future though, only time will tell.

If Hughes suffers injury or a run of poor form, I still think it will be Khawaja who is turned to first. However I have no doubts that Warner will remain on the doorstep and won't let his knocks go unnoticed. Pure weight in runs will always be the best way to get your name up there and I have all the faith in the world that Warner will pay dividends for New South Wales this summer. It surely cannot be long now until Warner dons the Baggy Green.