Leader in all but title

Australia needs Warner

DAVID WARNER could become a leader without a title at the pointy end of Australia’s T20 World Cup defence.

With a cloud hanging over captain Aaron Finch after a hamstring injury, Warner’s short-game experience could be invaluable for Australia but there is a catch.

As Cricket Australia is still reviewing Warner’s lifetime leadership ban following the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018, Warner remains unable to hold an official leadership post.

Warner captained Australia in the final T20 series before Sandpapergate (against New Zealand) and Australia were mulling over giving him the position full-time.

One press box wag at the Gabba quipped if Warner is seen directing on-field traffic in Australia’s final pool match against Afghanistan we may see senior Cricket Australia officials storming on to the field to tell him to put his arms down. Of course it won’t come to that but Finch’s injury does spotlight the lack of urgency in CA’s attempts to address Warner’s ban.

Matthew Wade is expected to be captain if Finch doesn’t play. Warner won’t be given a leadership post but he is free to do what he likes in terms of offering on-field advice.

Cricket Australia is reviewing its code of conduct laws and a decision on whether Warner can return to a leadership post in any capacity is likely to be made by December. It has been speculated he could be given a “parole’’ from his ban, which seems an odd move given that common sense would suggest he should be either banned or released from his sentence.

Why would you bother appointing a leader on “parole’’?

When Finch went off with a hamstring injury during Ireland’s innings at the Gabba on Monday, Warner helped out bowlers such as Adam Zampa with their fields. Several other voices chimed in and commentator Nasser Hussain said although Wade was captain Australia was in danger of having too many skippers.

But Warner is an experienced T20 leader and his experience could be vital in the closing matches of the tournament. Australia are yet to produce their best form and have looked slightly off-key for most of the tournament.

If Finch is out then the new leaders will have a major role to play, with former Test keeper Ian Healy spotlighting the lack of aggression among the bowlers against an Irish team who wriggled from 5-25 to 137.

“Our quicks didn’t try enough chin music,’’ Healy said on SEN. “Lorcan Tucker who made 71 off 48 was hitting us in front of square. Test out his top edge down to fine leg if he wants to play shot. Really fire up and get some chin music happening.’’