Opener hints he might stay for another Ashes tour while also targeting victory in India
“We still haven’t beaten India in India,” Warner said. “That would be nice to do. And obviously, England away, we had a drawn series [in 2019], but hopefully, if I managed to get that chance and opportunity, I might think about going back.”
He sees age as no barrier having silenced his doubters following sterling performances across the T20 World Cup and the first three Tests of this series.
“I think James Anderson sets the benchmark for older guys these days,” Warner said. “We look up to him as we’re getting on in our days. But for me, it’s about performing to the best of my ability and putting runs on the board. In the first two Tests, I actually look like a proper batsman, it’s almost like I’ve played my career the other way and had to knuckle down and respect the bowling and the line and lengths that they were bowling and obviously, the hundred eluded me.
“I feel in good touch. As I said, I was out of runs not out of form, so hopefully, I can put some more numbers on the board leading into this new year.”
“Those [tours] will really show where we are as a team and our character,” Warner said. “When you go to the subcontinent, you potentially could play two spinners. And then the selectors look at the batting line-ups with who they feel is probably going to be better on the subcontinent wickets and who’s not. There are going to be some brave decisions being made. But we’re looking forward to that.”
“Awesome to see Harry score some runs,” Warner said. “He is a tough tenacious fella. We gel well together when we’re out there. Obviously, a minor hiccup last game but that’s what happens in cricket can happen. His courage to keep fighting and working ways out to score runs when bowlers are bowling these good lines and lengths, he fought it out well. I’m really, really pleased for him.
“When he’s looking to score and I’m looking to score, I think our defence takes care of itself and we’ll be in and amongst the runs in the next two Tests.”
Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo