Superstar batsman David Warner has declared Will Pucovski the “frontrunner” to open the batting alongside him when the Ashes series gets underway in December.
After undergoing reconstructive surgery on his injured right shoulder, Pucovski is nearing a return for Victoria at Sheffield Shield level.
The 23-year-old’s return was pushed back after a concussion during training earlier this month.
Pucovski had a Test debut to remember last summer when he scored 62 against India in January just before his shoulder injury.
But with the experienced Marcus Harris well in the mix and veteran Usman Khawaja who has been in form recently for Queensland, Warner admits selectors will have plenty to consider.
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“I made a comment last year about Joe Burns, that it was myself wanting Joe Burns… it’s not the case,” he told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio.
“For me, it’s about giving opportunities to people who deserve those opportunities.
“I think there are two guys at the moment that are sitting there waiting, that’s Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris.
“There is obviously talk about Usman Khawaja, he scored a good 150 recently, a senior player.”
But given Pucovski’s experience earlier this year, Warner has labelled him the favourite to land the opening gig.
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“There are opportunities there for the selectors to pick who they want,” he added.
“Given Pucovski got injured and he was in the team, I think he is the frontrunner at this stage.”
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