‘We're optimistic with what Dave's got left’ - Andrew McDonald throws his weight behind David Warner ahead of WTC final and Ashes

Following the end of the World Test Championship final between Australia and India, which is scheduled from June 7 the Pat Cummins-led Aussies will next take on England in the much-anticipated Ashes series that is scheduled to begin from June 16.

With Australia still looking to field their best possible line-up for the WTC summit clash, the inclusion of ace batter David Warner could be a heavily discussed topic in the coming weeks. The 36-year-old has gone through a lean patch in Test cricket recently, and his inclusion in the side has been questioned by many. 

Warner couldn't score a fifty in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy played earlier this year. After his name was announced in the Australian squad for the WTC final and the Ashes, many people voiced their opinion against the same.

However, head coach Andrew McDonald has a different opinion. The 41-year-old opined that despite poor form in red-ball cricket, Warner is still going to be an integral part of Australia's Ashes campaign. "We're optimistic with what Dave's got left; we picked him in the squad, and we feel he's going to play a really significant part in the Ashes and the World Test Championship final," Andrew McDonald told SEN Radio.

He's an important part of that squad: McDonald

Furthermore, McDonald also revealed that Warner has been in constant contact with the team and that the 36-year-old knows exactly where he sits with the squad. He also opined that Warner is in their plans and is ready to go for the Ashes.

"He's an important part of that squad. And if he wasn't, then we would have had a clear checkpoint (to pick a new squad) after the World Test Championship. That's not the case... He's clearly in our plans, and he's ready to go. We're in constant contact with him. He knows exactly where he sits with us. That's why he's on the plane. We think he's got some good games left in him."