'He's eager to continue on at this stage' - Andrew McDonald rubbishes David Warner's retirement rumors

Australia's swashbuckling opening batter David Warner's statement regarding his Test future has gathered fire once again after a dismal output in the recently concluded series against the Windies. However, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald is confident about David Warner's future in the longest format of the game.

David Warner had hinted at calling time on his Test career last month as he could not see himself playing red-ball cricket beyond another 12 months for Australia. But another poor series against the Windies has raised question marks about his effectiveness in the longest format of the game. Head coach Andrew McDonald has revealed that the southpaw is not thinking about retirement as of yet and his appetite to play the traditional format of the game is still there.

"He's eager to continue on at this stage. He has not hinted [at] anything else. His appetite for the work - in and around training - is still there. He's busy at the crease, and you've seen signs that he is going well. He's just found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen. We are building towards a World Test Championship [final], and he wants to be part of that. So that's a clear focus for us, and we've got South Africa as a part of that. And then on to India," Andrew McDonald said ahead of the Test series against South Africa.

Warner is great at compartmentalizing, separating the off-field from the on-field: Andrew McDonald

Australia will face a stern Test against the Proteas in the upcoming three-match Test series at home. McDonald feels that Warner will be up for the challenge in the series and won't be perturbed by the off-field controversy surrounding his leadership ban. It is worth noting that the southpaw last registered a century in Tests in 2020 and has scored just scored only 675 runs at 28.12 in 25 Test innings since then.

"We'll see what happens in the next three Test matches. But at this stage, he's firmly in our thoughts for India. He's great at compartmentalizing, [and] separating the off-field from the on-field. And I think most of the great champions do that very well. I sense this situation is not different," the Australian head coach added.