PAINE SAYS WARNER SIGNS LOOKING GOOD

CRICKET:CRICKET: The losss of Steve Smith ffor ththe thirdhi Ashes Test has put the spotlight on David Warner and the entire Australian camp expects the out-of-sorts batsman to deliver at Headingley.

A win this week would be enough for Australia to retain the Ashes, a fact not lost on captain Tim Paine, who was confident the loss of Smith, the leading runscorer through the opening two Tests, could be covered.

That includes runs from Warner, the most experienced batsman in the Australian line-up, who has his back against the wall after four single-figure scores. Some are questioning whether he’s the player he was before his 12-month ban.

But it’s when the world is coming at him that Paine thinks his opening batsman is at his best.

“I’ve spoken a lot about the fact he averages close to 50 in Test cricket and he’s done that over a long period of time,” Paine said.

“I think with Steve missing this game I think it might be the little poke and prod Davey needs.

“He likes that responsibility and my experience with Davey is, when people doubt him and his back is against the wall, he comes out swinging.

“I’m expecting the very best David Warner this week.”

Warner hasn’t lasted beyond the opening five overs in any of his four innings this series, or longer than 20 minutes at the crease, heaping pressure on his less-experienced partner Cameron Bancroft.

Australian coach Justin Langer was equally emphatic about the former vice-captain, who has played 76 Tests, has 6381 runs and 21 Test centuries but has never reached triple figures in England, and scored his last hundred in December, 2017.

“I expect (a lot) out of him every time he plays, whether Steve Smith is playing or not playing. We expect it of all our senior players,” Langer said. “He’ll be hungry. Don’t write off David Warner.”

Paine said the pitch would again determine the make-up of the bowling attack. James Pattinson is expected to return after missing last week’s match at Lord’s. — Russell Gould