Former Australian Test player and international cricket coach Tom Moody has said that controversial opener David Warner's form is not good enough to warrant a place in Australia's one-day side, regardless of his run-in with England's Joe Root.
Since delivering consecutive one-day international (ODI) centuries against Sri Lanka in March 2012, Warner has posted only three ODI half-centuries in 18 knocks, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Moody, who was commentating during Australia's rain-washed ICC Champions Trophy clash with New Zealand on Wednesday, said that Warner's enforced absence had helped the team, adding that the entire fiasco over the Root punching incident was a blessing in disguise.
Quipping that Warner needed a 'timely kick to his backside', Moody said that he does not believe that Warner's form warrants his playing in the one-day side as he has scored one half-century in his past 10 innings, regardless of what his behaviour has been off the field.
According to the report, Warner's place at the top of Australia's Test order is also in question, especially after national selectors recalled forgotten opener Chris Rogers, adding that the explosive but enigmatic hitter averages a reasonable 39.46 in Tests, compared to his ODI average of 29.81.
Warner, who has averaged 31.53 from 16 digs at this year's Indian Premier League tournament, despite his usual prowess in the Twenty20 format, has always maintained his desire to remain an opener, but the report added that adjusting to a new role where he is kept away from the swinging new ball down at No.6 might be his best chance at holding his place in the team.