Andrew McDonald has downplayed issues over David Warner’s horror document in opposition to Stuart Broad, after Australia’s opener fell to the seamer twice in seven balls at Headingley.

Warner’s woes in opposition to Broad continued on Friday, when he was caught within the slips for one within the third over of Australia’s second innings of the third Take a look at at Headingley.

It marked the second time he’s been out to his arch-nemesis in two days, after additionally being caught within the slips within the first over of the match on Thursday.

In whole, Warner has confronted seven balls off Broad on this Take a look at, hit 4 runs and was out twice.

Australia went to stumps on day two at Headingley on 4-116 of their second innings and with a lead of 142, however Warner’s document in opposition to Broad makes for uglier studying.

Each balls had been good ones to dismiss Warner, however in 53 Take a look at innings in opposition to the Englishman he has now been out to him 17 occasions. 

Solely Michael Atherton’s 19 occasions out to Glenn McGrath and Arthur Morris’ 18 dismissals by Alec Bedser make for worse studying in Take a look at historical past.

“When you’ve gotten a gap bowler bowling to a gap batsman, they’re extra more likely to get them out with a brand new ball at occasions,” McDonald mentioned. 

“The three fifty-plus run partnerships that Usman (Khawaja) and David have placed on within the collection have been telling and had nice impression.

“So not right here to debate David Warner at this stage.”

The left-hander’s document in opposition to Broad might nonetheless ultimately spell hassle for the 36-year-old and his dream of a Sydney farewell in January.

Warner has made a number of begins over the primary three Exams of this tour, together with 66 at Lord’s final week to offer him some safety in choice.

(Picture by Quinn Rooney – CA/Cricket Australia through Getty Photos)

However he’s but to make the form of huge rating that will lock him in long-term.

Australia might face a variety squeeze within the subsequent Take a look at if Cameron Inexperienced is out there after recovering from a hamstring damage.

Earlier than Mitch Marsh’s century on day one at Headingley, Inexperienced would have mechanically come again into the aspect. 

Now, the state of affairs just isn’t really easy.

Confronted with an analogous state of affairs final January when Khawaja made twin tons on his Take a look at return, selectors made opener Marcus Harris the sacrificial lamb when Travis Head returned from COVID within the subsequent match.

If selectors did attempt to match allrounders Marsh and Inexperienced into the identical aspect, the one actual choice could be to depart out Warner and transfer Head or Marsh into the opening position.

There isn’t any indication but from selectors that they’ll make that transfer, however Warner has at all times recognized solely runs can safe him the house Take a look at farewell he has deliberate.

© AAP