'He has to be there': Ricky Ponting gives clear-cut answer on David Warner's Test career

Warner just finished an incredible World Cup 2023 campaign, leading Australia to victory with 535 runs at an average of more than 48. Prior to quitting red-ball cricket, Warner had stated that he would like to participate in the three-Test series against Pakistan, with the third Test at SCG serving as his farewell match.

3 Things you need to know

• David Warner was part of Australia's World Cup squad
• David Warner has scored 25 Test centuries during his career
• Warner scored 535 runs during the recently concluded ODI World Cup

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Ponting gives verdict on Warner's career

Warner just finished an incredible World Cup 2023 campaign, leading Australia to victory with 535 runs at an average of more than 48. Prior to quitting red-ball cricket, Warner had stated that he would like to participate in the three-Test series against Pakistan, with the third Test at SCG serving as his farewell match. Speaking to SEN Whateley, Ponting believes that Warner should begin the home Test summer before deciding whether or not to play red-ball cricket.

"Yeah look, I think he deserves to be there at the start of the summer, but then it's up to him. I've read some reports this week about, the farewell tour and having three Tests in the summer and finishing in Sydney in front of his home crowd. So it's up to him, if he scores runs in the first few games, then he'll most likely get that send-off that he's after," said Ponting.

Given that there are multiple openers in the wings for the Pakistan series, Ponting continued, the first Test in Perth might suggest that Warner would be better off playing the whole run.

"But there are a few guys that are queuing up behind him that have been doing a lot of things right in domestic cricket to get their chance to open the batting.That time will obviously come, but when that is, we'll wait and see. We'll probably have a clearer picture after that first test match in Perth," added Ponting.

Warner has had form issues since 2021, despite having excellent red-ball stats overall over 8,400 runs at an average of 44.43 in 109 games. Since the 2021 season began, the southpaw has averaged less than 30 with the bat and only managed one century in 25 Test matches.