In what was billed as an away Ashes series that Australia would be lucky to win a game in, once again the Baggy Greens have proven their worth at the elite level of test match cricket in retaining the famous urn.
Stellar victories at Edgbaston and Lords put Australia well on their way and whilst they were beaten at Headingley and owe a pint to the rain gods for the great escape at Old Trafford, Australia have firmly underlined why they are the number one men’s Test cricket team on the planet.
However, as with any cricketing series, the cyclical nature of the sport has pundits, fans, and players alike all looking to the future, especially for those players who should in theory come to the end of their careers sooner rather than later.
With the news that Stuart Broad is stepping away from the game for England, the future of his old adversary David Warner is being debated on many Australian betting sites.
Modern day Australian legend
The success David Warner has enjoyed at the top of the order for Australia has made him one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket.
Originally seen as a bit of a flasher in the one-day game, Warner has sculpted his technique against pace and the moving ball, to become one of the most consistent opening batters on the planet.
Coming into the Australian side at a time where the likes of Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden were seeing their influence on the game diminish, Warner established himself as one of the modern day greats of the game, with his steely determination a trademark of his batting.
The man from New South Wales has played over 100 Tests for Australia, scoring over 8,000 runs at an average just shy of 45, testament to his skill, application, and ability to score runs at the very elite of the game.
Recent struggles
Whilst the World Test Championship was sealed against India and the Ashes were retained in the winter of 2023, there have been plenty of question marks hover over the form of David Warner.
With his old pal Usman Khawaja appearing to mature like a fine wine, Warner has battled away with a serious loss of form over the past couple of seasons.
Warner has only passed 50 twice in his last 12 Test innings and with four single-figure scores in that run too, speculation is starting to mount as to whether he is still up for the fight in the Australian Test match team or whether it is time for the selectors to look towards a replacement.
Waiting in the wings
For all of their recent success in the Test Match arena, there is a growing feeling that the next crop of Australian cricketers aren’t yet ready to step up at international level.
The likes of Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have all been plying their trade in the Test team for the best part of a decade, with nobody ready to take on the mantle and that remains true with the top of the order and David Warner.
Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft are two experienced players, who have both tasted international Test cricket before, but question marks remain over both openers.
Youngsters seen as capable of replacing Warner do look a little thin on the ground, but big things have long been expected of Will Pucovski, who could now be ready to step up, following some difficult times both on and off the field in recent years.
Another candidate is South Australian Henry Hunt, who has snuck under the radar in recent times but now looks to be firmly in the conversation for a Test call up sooner rather than later.
Writing the unmistakable David Warner off is not something many people would do but with his career sure to come to an end at some point, Australian Test cricket looks set to make a change that could shape its future.