AUS vs ENG: Unstable And Distracted! Ian Healy Feels David Warner Struggled At Headingley But Backs His Selection In Manchester Test

Last Update on: July 11th, 2023 at 02:05 pm

Former Australia cricketer Ian Healy feels David Warner struggled to score runs in the previous Ashes 2023 Test at Headingley. Ian Healy said Warner was unstable on the crease and was distracted by the crowd during ENG vs AUS 3rd Test. However, he still backed David Warner for the next Test in Manchester.

David Warner showed some improvements in 2nd Test at Lord’s with a half-century. However, the Australian opener crashed in the 3rd Test. He got out for just 4 runs in the 1st innings and for 1 run in the 2nd innings. His early dismissal in the 2nd innings also created a lot of pressure for other batters in the middle order.

David Warner Was Unstable At The Crease: Ian Healy

While speaking on SENQ Breakfast show, former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy said David Warner struggled in the Headingley Test. He also added that Warner’s poor show also puts pressure on Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.

“What he (Warner) put out at Headingley wasn’t good enough. His technique recently had been much better, head over the ball, but it all disappeared at Headingley. He was jumping around, he was unstable at the crease and he was distracted by the crowd. It wasn’t good enough and we need better because he’s putting Marnus (Labuschagne) and Steve Smith under way too much pressure”, said Ian Healy, who played over 100 Tests and 150 ODIs for Australia.

However, the 59-year-old commentator also reckons the left-handed batter should be picked in the upcoming games of Ashes 2023. According to Healy, newbies openers like Marcus Harrisor or Matt Renshaw cannot be inducted into playing XI in Ashes 2023.

“Marnus has been like an opener, and he spends a lot of energy getting to 20 and 30, then he’s getting himself out too. I don’t want to throw a newbie, whether it be Marcus (Marcus Harrisor) or ‘Renners’ (Matt Renshaw) into that team in that Ashes furnace. David Warner is in with the team that has got to get this Ashes done,” the former right-handed batter further said.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Really Tricky! Nasser Hussain Feels Australia Needs David Warner In Manchester Test, Wonders Who’d Open In His Absence

David Warner’s scores across 6 innings of Ashes 2023 read- 9, 36, 66, 25, 4 and 1. With 141 runs in 3 Tests, the Aussie opener has an average of 23+ in Ashes 2023. He played just one good knock of 66 runs in the 2nd Test at Lord’s.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Darren Lehmann Feels David Warner Will Get “One More Test” To Save His Career

Meanwhile, Australia has managed to retain a 2-1 lead in Ashes 2023 after three games. All three matches have been nail-biting so far, drawing results in the final moments. Australia won the opening two clashes by 2 wickets and 43 runs. Later, England made a comeback in 3rd Test with a thumping victory by 3 scalps. ENG vs AUS 4th Test begins on July 19 in Manchester.

David Warner Was Unstable At The Crease: Ian Healy

Vikas Singh Derek