Selectors should stick with David Warner for WTC final and first two Ashes Tests: Mark Taylor

Former Australia cricketer Mark Taylor has come to David Warner's defence, with Australia expected to name the squad for the World Test Championship final and the Ashes series soon. 

Warner has been under heavy criticism owing to his poor international form, with many even opining that he should be dropped from Australia's Ashes squad. However, Taylor has said that Australia are likely to stick with Warner for the WTC final and they will not drop him just the next week for the Ashes. 

"If I am reading the tea leaves right, it sounds like they will stick with David for the World Test Championship at The Oval, and if that's the way Australia are thinking about the World Test Championship, then yes, they have to start with him for the Ashes," Taylor was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Notably, the WTC final between Indian and Australia is scheduled to be played from June 7 to 12 (including the reserve day) at the Oval, while the Ashes begins from June 16 at Edgbaston. 

"It would be very hard to have Usman Khawaja and Warner open the batting and then change a week later for the first Test at Edgbaston. Whoever they think is our best opening combination for the World Test Championship, should do the first three Tests of the summer [WTC final and the first two Ashes Tests]" he added.

Taylor also said that he would also like to see Cameron Bancroft get an opportunity at the top of the order after his recent form in the Sheffield Shield, where he was the leading run-getter with 945 runs in 20 innings at an average of 59.06, including four centuries.

"My old way of thinking, I always like a right-and-left-handed combination. So I would love to see Cameron Bancroft get another opportunity at the top of the order, I see Renshaw has been making runs in New Zealand [for Australia A], but Bancroft has made a heap of runs in the Australian summer," Taylor said. "One thing I do like about Bancroft, which I also like about Renshaw, is their ability to catch in the field. In the next year or two, we're going to need to find two openers."