David Warner has revealed he and opening partner Usman Khawaja have made a pact not to leave Australia stranded by retiring at the same time.
Warner and Khawaja grew up playing cricket together but faced very different fortunes as, apart from his ball tampering ban, Warner has been a mainstay while Khawaja has gone back and forth at some times of his career.
The third Test against South Africa is Warner’s 101st Test, while Khawaja is in Game 56.
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The couple are both 36 and Warner is just under two months senior.
But while Warner telegraphed the end of his trial career next year – including the signing of an agreement for join the Fox Cricket commentary team — a succession plan is in place.
Warner opens up on retirement plans | 01:56
Warner revealed during the inclement weather of light and rain throughout the day that Khawaja planned to stay in the Baggy Green, making a pact not to call him at the same time.
In 1984, Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh and Greg Chappell all retired at the same time and Australia took four years to win another series.
In 2007, Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne also pulled the pin at the same time.
Although this last line did not send Australia into oblivion, it still took a long time to find replacements.
It is a drama that modern Australians are aware of avoiding.
“We’re going to enjoy the next 12 months, enjoy as much as we can,” Warner told Fox Cricket.
“For us, it’s about not leaving this team with a big hole. I know during that five-year transition period when a lot of the greats have left, those are big holes to fill with the number of games you play.
“We always talk about games played and how important that is to the performance and perspective of a team with experience. You can’t fill that void.
There are plenty of questions over Australia’s future as the duo edge closer to 40 than 30, but there are some options.
Marcus Harris has been part of the Australian squad all summer, while Matthew Renshaw will bat in the middle order in the current Test.
Henry Hunt of South Australia was highly rated, while Cameron Bancroft has 483 points at 53.66 in Sheffield Shield for Western Australia and Tim Ward has 421 points at 42.10 for Tasmania.
Will Pucovski, should he make another comeback after regular concussions, will likely also be an important consideration.
“We have some big players coming in with Renshaw now coming back into the fold,” Warner said of the options behind the current pair.
“He talked about learning his lessons as soon as he arrived, which is great.
“Marcus Harris has 15 to 20 tests under his belt. He has that experience, now it takes this game to the next level for him and establishes his place.
“The team is in an ideal situation when we decide to leave or get tapped on the shoulder.”
During another rain delay, commentators spoke about Warner’s future and said he would likely reevaluate after Ashes next year after a four-game run in India in February and a potential World Championship decider. test, saying Warner had “earned the right” to go on his own terms.
One name that will stick around is Steve Smith, 33, according to Kerry O’Keeffe.
“He hits four, he got over the barrage from Neil Wagner, he changed his technique, I think it added 18 months to two years to his game,” O’Keeffe said.
“I think he’ll go on Smith.”