Cummins clue on Warner call after axing rumours

He scored one and 10, and his overall Test average in India is a measly 22.16 from nine matches.

Warner’s former teammate Mitchell Johnson called for the batter to be axed for the Delhi match, in favour of elevating Matt Renshaw to the top and bringing Travis Head back into his usual spot at No.5.

Reports in outlets including The Sydney Morning Herald suggested Head may even open the batting in lieu of Warner.

”I’m not a selector. I don’t think they’ve had a meeting but I’m sure Davey will be there,” Cummins said on Thursday about Warner.

“You saw [last] year at the Boxing Day Test when he puts pressure back on the opposition, he’s pretty hard to bowl to.

“You don’t get as many good balls, so he knows that. I’m sure that’d be part of his plan.

“He has been batting really well here. Even in the lead-up, I thought he was fantastic. I know there’s a lot of talk about spin bowling through the middle but with that new ball it’s sometimes the hardest time to bat as well.”

Starc aiming for second Test

There are a number of potential changes hanging over the Australian team, but those outside the camp won’t know a final XI until Cummins announces it at 2.30pm Friday.

While Warner is an intriguing one, it’s the bowling line-up that is most likely to change.

Much hinges on the fitness of all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the Nagpur match due to a broken finger sustained at the MCG in December.

If Green can play in Delhi the Aussies can use him as the second fast bowler, combining with Cummins, and then pick three spin bowlers.

Ashton Agar and squad newcomer Matt Kuhnemann are fighting for the right to play alongside off-spinners Todd Murphy and Nathan Lyon, who are next to no chance of being omitted.

But if Green fails to be fit in time for the match, Mitchell Starc may need to come in – having recovered from his own finger injury – and Australia will likely stick with only two specialist spinners, so as to maintain some batting depth.

“Starcy and Green had good sessions (Wednesday) and we will assess them later on today,” Cummins said on Thursday.

“We don’t have a line through them yet, we’ll see.

“Having a right-hander (Green) helps and him providing our fifth bowling option also helps.

“He’s a big player. It certainly helps the team function well from batting and bowling.”

Cummins would not be drawn on whether Agar or Kuhnemann – who both turn the ball away from the right-hander – would grab the third spinning spot.

“If we wanted a third spinner variety we’d be comfortable with either of those two.”

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