Australia head coach Andrew McDonald throws support behind David Warner

Despite Warner's struggles in the 2019 Ashes when he averaged just 9.50, McDonald is confident the opener will play a "significant part" in both the World Test Championship final and the 2023 Ashes

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has backed David Warner to make an impact in the World Test Championship final and upcoming Ashes series.

The opener ended a spell of almost two years without a Test century in December 2022, making an imperious 200 against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, and was in hot form for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, scoring 516 runs in 14 matches.

However, his place in the Test side has been called into question given his recent red-ball record and well-documented struggles in England.

Speaking to Australian radio station SEN on May 24, McDonald said: "We're optimistic with what Dave's got left.

^{Warner averaged 9.50 in the 2019 Ashes [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

^{Warner links up with the Test squad following a run-laden IPL stint with Delhi Capitals [Arun Sankar/Getty Images]}

"We're backing him to draw on everything that he's got, I think leading into the Boxing Day Test the doomsday people are out there as well. He's got still plenty to draw upon and we saw it early in the IPL as well.

"We've picked him in the squad, and we feel that he's going to play a really significant part in the Ashes and the World Test Championship final and that's why he's on the plane."

In the 2019 Ashes, the most recent series held on English soil, Warner had a torrid time with the bat, scoring just 95 runs and averaging 9.50.

However, he did have a successful 2015 Ashes series, scoring 418 runs with an average of 46.44.

"I think he can draw on some positive experiences in England," McDonald said. "So, he's had success there, it's not as though he hasn't had success in those conditions.

"He's in a good head space, I spoke to him as recently as yesterday and he's ready to go and he's really excited to get back into camp and see the boys."