"He said, ‘I got them good'" - Tim Paine reveals chat with David Warner after latter's shocking announcement ahead of 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Retired Australian cricketer Tim Paine has revealed speaking to David Warner after his shocking statement of wanting to come out of retirement ahead of the Test series against India. The former keeper-batter opined that Warner took joy in fooling everyone.
Last week, the left-handed batter claimed to be available if Australia needed him to fill the opening spot during the summer. The former New South Wales cricketer also said he is ready to play a Sheffield Shield fixture if needed before the Test series.
Speaking to SEN Tassie, here's what Paine had to say:
"He wasn't dead serious, that’s Davey. How do I know? Because I spoke to him, that’s how. 'Is that good enough for the people?' He said, ‘I got them good, haha’. Of course, that’s Davey’s thing. People say, ‘You’re not serious’, I am dead serious, but he’s not (with this)."
The left-handed opener retired from international cricket after the Super 8 T20 World Cup 2024 game against India. He didn't have a great record against the Indians in Tests, averaging just 31.
Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris among contenders to replace David Warner at the top
Meanwhile, Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris are in the selectors' conversations to partner opener Usman Khawaja during the Test series against India. Konstas is currently believed to be leading the race; the 19-year-old scored a ton in both innings for New South Wales in a recent Sheffield Shield fixture.
Australia haven't beaten India in a Test series since 2014/15 and will be keen to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first of the five Tests begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.