David Warner has described being named deputy to the new Australia Test captain, Steve Smith, as a “massive honour”.
Cricket Australia confirmed the appointments of Smith and Warner on Friday on the back of Michael Clarke’s decision to retire from Test cricket after next week’s fifth Ashes Test.
It is less than a week since the chief executive of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland, said: “I don’t think that’s necessarily an obvious next step” in response to suggestions that Warner was the frontrunner to take the vice-captaincy in the post-Clarke era. In response Warner said on Friday: “That’s James’ opinion. He’s our boss and I have to respect what he says. But the board obviously approved me being vice-captain and I thank them for their support, trust and faith in myself to be under Steve and help Steve as much as I can with my knowledge of the game.
“It’s definitely a massive honour and a boyhood dream just first to get your baggy green but to be recognised as a leader within the group and being named vice-captain is obviously a massive thrill for myself and I know my family as well.”
Sutherland reminded Warner of his responsibilities as role model earlier this year after an on-field spat with India’s Rohit Sharma. Two years ago he also used the word “despicable” in relation to the punch the Australian batsman threw at Joe Root in a Birmingham bar.
But the Australian hierarchy appear to have been persuaded by Warner’s claims that the self-proclaimed ‘attack dog’ has transformed into a tamed puppy. At the start of this Ashes tour he revealed becoming a father had triggered a re-evaluation of his on-field behaviour and that he would be giving up alcohol until the series was over.
“David has matured and developed into an important senior figure in the Australian team. He has come a long way,” said the Australia chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh, who proposed his appointment.
Australia’s new leadership duo are due to play in the tour fixture against Northamptonshire, with Clarke spending time in London before his final Test appearance next week. However, the opening day’s play on Friday was abandoned without a ball bowled due to wet weather.
