The 37-year-old has thrown a major curveball at selectors as they ponder his Test replacement.
David Warner is “dead serious” that he would come out of retirement to play in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy if called upon.
Australian men’s cricket is in the middle of a search for a new Test opener after Warner called time on his 112-match career at the SCG earlier this year.
Former skipper Steve Smith had briefly put his hand up to fill the void as the Aussies experimented with promoting the traditional No.4 to the top of the order.
But with confirmation that Smith will return to his regular position in the middle order, there remains a vacant spot next to Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.
It’s created an old-fashioned “bat-off” between leading contenders Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and young bolter Sam Konstas in the opening rounds of the Sheffield Shield season.
With no clear standout, Warner has offered a left-field option — himself.
“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner told News Corp.
Pressed further on how sincere he was really being, Warner doubled down: “I’m always dead serious.
“Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation.
“Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.
“I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game and I wanted to finish. (But) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that.”
The left-hander, who will turn 38 on Sunday, admitted he “cheekily” messaged coach Andrew McDonald and head of selectors George Bailey about a potential return.
“You retired,” was his answer from McDonald.
It’s not the first time he has thrown his hat in the ring for selection since retirement, having already declared in July that he would put his hand up for selection in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy if asked.
Regardless, a return from Warner would be a short-term fix at his age.
Bancroft, though he turns 32 next month, still has more time on his side, despite being given multiple chances in the Test arena.
And he looks set for a golden opportunity to assert his Test credentials and bat Western Australia to victory in their Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania.
An in-form Josh Inglis (101 off 141 balls) put the hosts in control on Day 3 at the WACA Ground, before a batting collapse left the Tasmanians’ chances of victory in disarray.
When bad light stopped play, Tasmania (9-135) were only 80 runs ahead of WA with one wicket in hand, having sputtered to 3-13 before losing 6-67 in the final session.
Matthew Kuhnemann (five) and Riley Meredith (two) will start unbeaten at the crease on Day 4, but neither has recorded a first-class half-century in their career.
The stage appears set for Bancroft and fellow opener Sam Whiteman to bat WA home in reply, as the former chases the vacancy at the top of the order for the Test summer.
A Test player on 10 previous occasions, Bancroft managed only eight runs in the first innings, but could finish the week as the most in-form player of those in the mix.
Neither of Bancroft’s two clearest rivals for the opening spot in the series against India scored above 50 in Victoria’s ongoing clash with NSW, Harris and Konstas both misfiring.
The WA young gun had continued his strong start to the summer by bringing up his half-century just after the rain-delayed start to play on Day 3.
But he was caught by wicketkeeper Jake Doran off Webster to bring a 161-stand with Inglis to a close.
On 99, Inglis overcame Connolly’s departure to reach triple figures with a single to deep mid-wicket off former Australian white-ball teammate Matt Kuhnemann (1-73).
But Inglis faced only three more deliveries before falling victim to the same duo as Connolly, his outside edge from Webster’s bowling caught safely by Doran. WA were all out for 332.
Tasmania threatened to implode, slipping to 3-13 inside five overs as veteran quick Cameron Gannon dispatched dangerous opener Caleb Jewell (five) and captain Jordan Silk (zero) in the space of five deliveries.
After he helped stem the bleeding, Doran (34) was caught by Inglis on the second delivery after tea as pressure mounted on the visitors.
WA paceman Brody Couch had both Tasmania’s top-scorer Charlie Wakim (37) and Brad Hope (zero) caught in the space of three balls, and when Webster went for 35, Tasmania were in a world of hurt.
Earlier, match officials permitted Hilton Cartwright to return to the crease after the WA allrounder retired on Day 2 to attend the birth of his child.
But Cartwright added only 13 more runs before holing out to Bradley Hope with a pull shot to the deep on 65 runs.
