Don’t know if David Warner was serious or joking about return: Marnus Labuschagne

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne is unsure of what to make of David Warner’s comments about wanting to make a return to the side for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Warner played his final Test against Pakistan in Sydney in January of this year and subsequently went on to announce his retirement from all formats of the game in the following months.
Warner would recently make the comment that he is ready for a return if his services are needed and is even ready to play in the Sheffield Shield. Australia are searching for an opener after Steve Smith decided to move down to the No.4 spot for the upcoming series.
“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.
Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by Perth Now, Labuschagne said he doesn’t know if Warner was joking or if he was serious.
“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.
Labuschagne commented on Smith moving back to No.4 and said it was a pretty simple fix given the star batter’s success in the spot and with Cameron Green being unavailable.
“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.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will start on November 22.