Taylor: ‘Selectors ought to persist with Warner for WTC closing and first Two Ashes Tests’

Selectors are anticipated to call a squad for the World Test Championship closing towards India and the Ashes this week, with the main target firmly on the highest of the order.

But Taylor, who might be in England as a part of the Nine Network’s Ashes broadcast, believes Warner ought to play within the first two Tests towards England if selectors choose him to face India.

“If I am reading the tea leaves right, it sounds like they will stick with David for the World Test Championship at The Oval,” the previous Test captain instructed AAP. “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.

“It can be very arduous to have Usman Khawaja and Warner open the batting after which change every week later for the primary Test at Edgbaston. Whoever they suppose is our greatest opening mixture for the World Test Championship, ought to do the primary three Tests of the summer season.”

The selectors have previously indicated they will break the English summer into two blocks of three Tests, with the squad to be re-evaluated after the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

Taylor is also adamant the selectors should opt for Bancroft or Renshaw as the back-up opener ahead of Marcus Harris. Harris was handed a national contract ahead of the two, despite the Victorian not playing a Test for 15 months.

Chief selector George Bailey indicated at the time that Harris is seen as a preferred back-up option outside of the subcontinent, with Renshaw’s recent Tests on spinning wickets.

“My previous mind-set, I at all times like a right-and-left-hander mixture. So I might like to see Cameron Bancroft get one other alternative on the prime of the order,” he said. “I see Renshaw has been making runs in New Zealand [for Australia A], however Bancroft has made a heap of runs within the Australian summer season.

“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. The one thing that has worried me about Marcus Harris is his fielding.

“The method this collection is trying like panning out, fielding goes to be essential. I believe that can go towards somebody like a Marcus Harris, whose fielding just isn’t nice.”