David Warner should be realistic and looking to the future, says Ricky Ponting

• Ricky Ponting urges David Warner to be realistic in terms of his Test career.
• Justin Langer believes it is too soon to rule him out of playing Test cricket.
• Australia batsman averages 24.25 and 26.04 in his two Test series.

Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s greatest batsmen, has urged David Warner to be realistic and consider his future in terms of his Test cricket career. Warner was caught by Khaya Zondo at short leg with a superb one-handed catch on Saturday after being bowled for a first-ball duck by South African pacer Kagiso Rabada as he attempted to parry a blazing short ball.

Warner had scores of 5 and 48 in Perth and 21 and 28 in Adelaide during Australia’s recent 2-0 series victory over the West Indies. In Adelaide, though, he had to cope with the aftermath from dropping his request to have the lifetime leadership ban reversed.

Warner averages 24.25 and 26.04 in his two upcoming Test series against India and England, respectively, but has yet to score a century in either nation. The longest absence of a three-figure score in his illustrious Test career, he has now gone 27 innings and over three years without making a Test century.

“He need to, in my opinion, try to be as practical and forward-looking as he can. He deserves the opportunity to finish as he wants to finish, as I previously stated. I would hate for him to begin the Ashes tour or an Indian tour just to get the tap on the shoulder.”

“His career would finish in a disappointing manner if that happened; it might happen after the Sydney Test. Wait and see, shall we. In addition, I hope he gets some runs before then “said Ponting during the first day of the Brisbane Test.

Justin Langer, a former head coach of Australia, disagreed with Ponting’s assessment and believes it is too soon to rule Warner out of playing Test cricket. “Naturally, we will interpret it; everyone will interpret the first-ball duck. He was having successful starts all through the beginning of the summer and much of last summer. It is currently only converting those impressive starts (into high scores).”

“Australia is aware of how crucial he is to them because, when South Africa uses fast bowling, he can turn the tide in their favour. He and the squad will be disappointed, but I promised before the series began that I would not give up on David Warner for even a moment. He is a prominent player for the Australian cricket team and a street fighter.” Nathan Lyon, an off-spinner for Australia, said in the post-game press conference that the team wants Warner to resume his record-breaking scoring ways. “We all know the type of batsman David Warner is and the X-factor cricketer he is.

“To be completely honest with you, the changeroom and the entire Australian population should be behind him. He caught a fantastic steep bouncer today, but holding onto it was quite difficult. It’s a component of cricket. But I’m anticipating David to show up and perform miraculous things.”

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