Former Check fast Brett Lee has declared Australia “might not recognize” till after the subsequent two summers simply how invaluable David Warner was, earlier than backing NSW teen phenom Sam Konstas as his alternative on the high of the order for the collection in opposition to India.
The duty to seek out Warner’s successor and Usman Khawaja‘s opening accomplice grew harder as each man thought-about a contender — Konstas, Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft and Henry Hunt — failed within the Sheffield Defend on Monday.
Konstas had carved out twin centuries within the opening spherical of the Sheffield Defend, however the 19-year-old was on Monday dismissed lbw for two on the MCG, in what seemed a harsh resolution from the umpire.
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Australia is trying to find Warner’s alternative after it was confirmed that Steve Smith would shift again right down to quantity 4 following a quick experiment on the high of the order.
“Firstly, Australia, not simply the crew however I believe the general public, might not recognize it now, however I believe in 12-18 months, simply how good David Warner was,” Lee instructed The Observe On podcast a month out from the primary Check of the summer time, happening in Perth.
“I believe in the event that they had been to return to Cameron Bancroft, it could have been a 12 months and a half or two years in the past when he had most runs in Defend cricket.
Former Australian Check opener David Warner. Mark Kolbe/Getty Photos
“They nonetheless might choose him they usually might choose Harris. However do you make investments your power and property into guys who’re ageing cricketers, with all due respect? Albeit great cricketers, do not get me fallacious.
“But when we’re seeking to the longer term, why not give a man a chance like a Sam Konstas who is barely 19 years of age, solely performed a number of first-class matches?”
Monday’s Defend motion noticed Harris comply with up his first-innings 26 with a second-innings 16, whereas Bancroft was dismissed for 8.
Renshaw misplaced his wicket for two and South Australia’s Hunt fell for a duck, though Hunt had compiled 136 within the first innings of his facet’s conflict with Queensland.
NSW teen ace Sam Konstas. Getty
Konstas is barely enjoying his second season of Defend cricket, however Lee does not imagine his inexperience ought to rely in opposition to him.
“There are some gamers, like David Warner, the best way he got here by the ranks — he began off in T20 cricket after which turned out to be one in all Australia’s greatest-ever Check match cricketers,” Lee mentioned.
“Glenn McGrath performed just a few first-class matches earlier than he debuted for Australia.
“There are gamers that the upper the extent they go, the higher the cricketers they’re.
“I see Sam Konstas’ approach, I believe he has a extremely good approach. I do not assume it could be a nasty name in the event that they went down that street.”
