Australia will make some tough selection calls for World Test Championship Final, reckons Mark Taylor

After winning the third Test of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia managed to qualify for the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC), which is slated to start on June 7 at The Oval, England. Notably, in the four-match Test series against India, the visiting side went through a lot of changes as players like David Warner, Mitchell Swepson and Pat Cummins weren’t available for the full tour. 

It can't be ignored that Warner’s form is currently under the scanner as other than his spectacular double century against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test last year, the southpaw has failed to prove himself in Test cricket in recent times. Thus, many former Australia cricketers including Ricky Ponting wants the selectors to look beyond the opener. 

Thus, Warner’s spot for the upcoming WTC final and the Ashes is not yet guaranteed as former Aussie skipper Mark Taylor expects the team management to make some tough calls ahead of Australia’s tour for WTC Final. Even though he didn’t name any cricketer, the speculations have already begun.

“I think the Test Championship is a godsend for Australia really. Making the final and being the top qualifier is a great achievement, but it’s another Test match in England,” Taylor told The Herald and The Age.

"So apart from being a chance to win the World Test Championship, it’s also a damn fine practice match for Ashes series, playing at The Oval, which is one of the Tests grounds obviously, and playing in English conditions against a quality Indian side."

"I think that’ll be ideal for Australia. There’s going to be some tough selection calls,” the 58-year-old concluded.

Notably, the former cricketer was very unhappy with the southpaw’s performance in the first Test of the series against India following which, Taylor urged Cricket Australia to take a call on Warner’s future in Test cricket. He, however, reminded that changes often happen post Ashes tour, so he is not quite sure what the selectors will do ahead of the much-awaited England tour.

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