David Warner’s suggestion he would be “open” to play for Australia again has been laughed off by chairman of selectors George Bailey.
The dashing opener farewelled the international game when Australia exited the recent T20 World Cup without qualifying for the semi-finals.
Warner had already bowed out of 50-over cricket when Australia won last year’s ODI World Cup, and his Test retirement became official in January.
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But in a cheeky post to social media last week, the 37-year-old claimed he was “open” to play in next year’s Champions Trophy, if selected.
But Bailey sported a big smile when asked about the post, saying they were not planning for Warner to be available for the tournament in Pakistan.
“You never know when ‘Bull’ (Warner) is joking,” Bailey said after announcing Australia’s squads for the white-ball tour of the United Kingdom.
“I’ve been taking it as … if he’s missing us already, that’s a great sign.
“I think he’s just stirring the pot a bit.
“He’s had a wonderful career, can’t celebrate enough.
“As time goes by, his legacy of what he has done for Australia and we reflect back on that, that legend of a player is only going to continue to grow.
“But as far as this team goes and the journey to transition to some different players, in his case across all three formats, it’s going to be an exciting one.”
Warner will continue to play franchise cricket across the world, most notably in the Indian Premier League.
After Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, Warner anointed whiz kid Jake Fraser-McGurk as the country’s next master blaster.
“All yours now champion,” Warner captioned on a photo on Instagram of himself and Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink.
Fraser-McGurk has been selected in the T20 and ODI squads to face England and Scotland in September.