Will Pucovski is one of five players who potentially replace David Warner as Australia’s Test opener.
Will Pucovski is one of five players who potentially replace David Warner as Australia’s Test opener
On Saturday, January 6, David Warner strolled into the sunset of his Test career at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after a typically breezy and entertaining performance in a victorious chase against Pakistan.
When he was picked for the T20Is against South Africa in 2009, Warner made his Australia debut despite having no prior first-class experience.
However, the pocket dynamite went on to have a brilliant career in whites, finishing with 8,786 runs at an average of 44.59, 37 fifties, and 26 centuries to his record.
While Australia defeated Pakistan 3-0, the West Indies are up next.
The defending global Test champions will take on Kraigg Brathwaite and company in a two-match Test series beginning on January 17 in Adelaide, with a day-night match also set for Brisbane.
Will Pucovski is one of five players who potentially replace David Warner as Australia’s Test opener.
1. Cameron Bancroft
Cameron Bancroft is the most apparent choice, with runs in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia.
The right-handed hitter has played the last of his 10 Tests to far in the 2019 Ashes, and unlike Warner, he isn’t always someone who will fire into bowlers from the start.
However, show a tendency for occupying the crease and scoring large hundreds, with 25 in first-class cricket.
He presently leads the Current Shield season, which will resume after the Big Bash League (BBL), with 512 runs at an average of 56.88.
He also led the previous season with 945 runs at an average of 59.06, paving the way for Western Australia’s success.
2. Matt Renshaw
Matt Renshaw, who was Warner’s opening partner when he made his Test debut, was quite good on several dust bowls when Australia toured India in 2017.
That’s also where the southpaw’s skills lie: his quick feet and ability to play spin make him an appealing alternative to resort to with an eye to sub-continental ventures.
Renshaw’s average in the current Shield season is 31.63, however he did score an undefeated 136 for the Prime Minister’s XI against the visiting Pakistanis.
Another thing that makes him appealing is his conversion rate: 21 of his 40 fifty-plus innings in first-class cricket have resulted in hundreds.
3. Marcus Harris
Marcus Harris, from Victoria, is another name that has been floating about.
In his maiden series in 2018-19, the left-handed opener looked compact and secure against a tough Indian bowling attack, but his career hasn’t taken off since then.
During the 2021-22 Ashes, he was the first-choice opener alongside Warner before Khawaja put up runs for fun to take over that slot.
Harris might return for a third season, albeit his Shield averages in the past two seasons – 37.56 and 31.33, respectively – leave much to be desired.
What works in his favor is that he has frequently been the side’s reserve opener, having been to Pakistan in 2022 and England for the Ashes this year.
4. Will Pucovski
Will Pucovski, a prodigious and highly hyped domestic cricketer, is a prolific run-scorer.
The Victorian’s first-class average of 43.94 is higher than that of the majority of his competitors, and at 25, you’d assume the sky’s the limit for him.
Unfortunately, his career has been marred by bad luck, with several concussions frequently keeping him out of regular game action.
On his debut three years ago, he proved what all the anticipation was about when he stroked his way to 62 in the first innings against a tough Indian attack, but a shoulder dislocation forced him to miss the rest of the game.
5. Cameron Green
Cameron Green, a generational talent who has made waves in the cricketing world, has been benched from Australia’s last four Tests due to Mitchell Marsh’s purple patch.
While his Test average of 33.59 does not reflect his ability, he is a constantly progressing player with an extremely high upside.
Green isn’t afraid to start the batting, having done so in white-ball cricket.
Opening the innings in Tests is a different story, but considering that he can occupy the crease and dull the new ball if necessary while still attacking his way like Warner, it is a risk that Australia may take.