Mark Taylor puts his weight behind David Warner, Shane Watson

Former Australian captain and opening batsmen Mark Taylor feels that David Warner should be played in the first Ashes Test. In addition to this, he also suggested that Shane Watson should be guaranteed his place in the side as an opener.

In conversation with Melbourne radio station SEN, Taylor felt that Warner had to be selected despite the disciplinary action taken against him. Being one of the most explosive batsmen in today’s game, he felt that Warner’s destructive ability should work in the Australian teams favour.

“I know a lot of people out there would think it’s probably too early,” Taylor said.

“(But) I think for the first Test , you’ve got to go with who you believe are your top six batsmen and I think at the moment, Dave Warner’s in that.

“I think he’s served his time. His suspension I think, I think it was harsh but fair and I think now it’s time to move on from the blue he did have in the bar probably a month ago now and to play him in the side.”

On the Watson issue, he made it clear that he should have been guaranteed his spot as opener as early as eight months back. Taylor felt that the management, trying to get wickets out of him and then slotting him in the middle order, was just not working.

“His major job is to make runs for Australia, that’s his first and foremost job, but they’ve sort of been hedging their bets with Shane Watson, trying to get wickets out of him, trying to get him comfortable somewhere in the middle order and it hasn’t worked.”

Commenting on some other issues, he felt that the sacking of coach Mickey Arthur was collateral damage ahead of the Ashes. But in the same vein, he felt that Darren Lehman was a worthy replacement and only good things could come out of this development.