I don't know if David Warner was serious or whether he was joking about Test comeback: Marnus Labuschagne

David Warner recently shook the cricket fraternity by announcing he is ready to don the whites again for Australia during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 2024-25 if the team needs him. The southpaw's stance has left many including his former teammate Marnus Labuschagne perplexed.

Warner retired from the game's longest format earlier this year after playing against Pakistan in Sydney. He announced his retirement from the other formats of international cricket in the subsequent months. However, he recently expressed his interest in coming out of retirement and even playing in the Sheffield Shield to show that he is ready for the rigours of red-ball cricket. Australia are in the hunt for an opener after Steve Smith is set to move back to No. 4.

Also Check: Watch: Pat Cummins has a hearty laugh at Rishabh Pant's sledges from Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21

"I am always available, just got to pick up the phone. I am always dead serious. Let's be honest, the guys have played one red ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I've almost had the same preparation," David Warner told Code Sports.

"Honestly, if they needed me for this series, I'm more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play. I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game and I wanted to finish. (But) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I'm not going to shy away from that," he added.

Labuschagne, however, said that he doesn't know if the 37-year-old was joking or if he was serious about the Test comeback.

"I don't know if he was serious or whether he was joking. It is always hard to tell. I don't know what to make of that," said Labuschagne.

Steve Smith at No.4 is a pretty simple fix: Marnus Labuschagne

Labuschagne commented on Smith returning to No.4 in the batting order and said it was a pretty simple fix given the former Australia captain's remarkable success in the spot and with Cameron Green being ruled out.

"One of the best players for Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in is a pretty simple fix. Cameron Green is unavailable for the summer. There is no one batting at No. 4 as we currently stand in our team. Why not have the person who has done it best for Australia batting in that position?" said Labuschagne.

Also Read: 'The only one I can remember is Sachin Tendulkar in Sydney' - Pat Cummins shares memorable BGT knock

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently held by India as they won it back in 2017. Australia will want to reclaim the coveted trophy as India start their defence from November 22 onwards.