Aussie opening partners David Warner and Usman Khawaja have vowed to not leave the Test side “in a hole” when the time comes for one or both of them to call stumps on their careers.
Speaking on Fox Cricket during yesterday’s weather delay, Warner revealed he and Khawaja had discussed their retirements and what they would mean to the Aussie side.
He said filling the hole left by the retirement of Langer and Hayden, as well as several other key stars within the space of a few years, left the side void of experience.
“I know through that sort of five year transition period when a lot of the greats left, there were big holes to fill with the amount of games that you play,” he said.
“So we always talk about games played and how much that means into a team’s performance and perspective with experience. And you can’t fill that void.”
Warner flagged Matt Renshaw – who tested positive for COVID-19 on a RAT in the hours before play began yesterday – as one player who could fill his position. Although already 30, Warner believes Marcus Harris was another.
“The team is in a great position for when we decide to leave – or not perform and get tapped on the shoulder,” he said.
Warner and Khawaja came through the Sydney junior cricket scene together and were close friends throughout their childhoods.
Warner was at the SCG when Khawaja made his test debut in the Sydney test of the 2010-11 Ashes series, which Australia lost 3-1.
“I remember sitting here (for) his first game up in a box – I hadn’t played Test cricket yet – and it brought a tear to my eyes seeing a friend of mine, a close friend of mine go out there and debut.”
Warner made his debut 11 months later against New Zealand.
“I played a lot of cricket growing up with him, and playing alongside him has been fantastic.
“It’s just great to see him out there enjoying his cricket for what it is.
“As he keeps saying to me, it could be our last game together. (So) we’re gonna enjoy the next four months, enjoy it as much as we can and hopefully he can play a bit longer than what I can.”
