David Warner hasn’t got a Test hundred in England in 25 innings.
That’s the stat that poses an issue for former Australia men’s coach Darren Lehmann in deciding whether to take the opener to England for the Ashes in the coming months.
The 36-year-old is in a dreadful run of form in red-ball cricket but has vowed to play on and put his hand up to play in the Ashes.
However, it may not be his choice given Warner has passed 50 just once in his last 15 Test innings.
Legendary Australian batter Ricky Ponting recently told the ICC Review podcast that Warner missed the best chance to retire after the Sydney Test in January, comments Lehmann says are justified given the current circumstances.
But Lehmann - who oversaw the left-hander for five years of his career - added that a move down the order could provide the perfect send off.
“David Warner, if he’s in form, he’s got something to add. The issue for me would be he’s been there three times and hasn’t made a 100,” he told SENQ’s Pat & Heals.
“I thought in the last Ashes series he should bat down (the order) and bat five or six, something different, because he can really expose their bowling down the order.
“We just keep him as an opener… but David Warner, if he’s not succeeding at the top, could bat down, you could swap Warner and (Travis) Head. Sometimes you’ve got to think outside the box to see who’s going to succeed.
“(Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson are going to be quite difficult and Warner’s struggled with that in England, so whether they get him there or not will be a selectors' call.”
After Warner’s concussion in the second Test and subsequent return to Australia, Travis Head was promoted up the order to open alongside Usman Khawaja.
The South Australian knocked a classy 49 not out in the second innings in difficult conditions as the Aussies claimed the third Test in Indore, but has indicated he’s likely to move back down the order after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Australia’s next block of Test cricket comes in the World Test Championship final in early June before the Ashes takes hold later that month for a five-Test series.
Warner averages 26.04 in UK conditions.
“My gut feel is they’ll take him in the squad (for the Ashes), but will they play him? I’m not so sure,” Lehmann continued.
“But if you take him in the squad you might as well play him, or don’t take him at all.”
Warner is expected to return to India for three ODIs later in March where he's set to partner Head opening the bat.