For some of the cricket public he might be an outcast, but for those in the team nobody could matter more
A couple of years ago, the idea that Australia’s Test team would be waiting for salvation at the hands of David Warner would have been humorous. During his exile from the national team there was no assurance that he would be accepted back at all. Winning over the dressing room was a prerequisite.
Once he did return in England in 2019, a prolific but workmanlike World Cup was forgotten by public sentiment after Warner endured the Ashes version of the Book of Job. He almost literally couldn’t make a run, while his fellow exile Steve Smith got to play the prodigal son, returning from the wilderness to acclaim. (The sacrificial calf was provided by Jimmy Anderson after four overs at Edgbaston.)
