David Warner fears for the future of Test cricket

The Australia international is urging young players to play red-ball cricket, stating that Test cricket is the true test of "how well you measure up to the greats"

David Warner has admitted he fears for the future of Test cricket, hinting the next five to 10 years could be critical.

The 36-year-old batter is a veteran of Australia's Test side, chalking up 101 appearances in the format since making his debut in 2011.

During that time, he has scored 8,132 runs at 46.20 – placing him seventh overall in Australia's all-time run-scoring charts in the format – as well as amassing just shy of 250 international white-ball caps.

However, he believes many players are focused on the "short-term" gains offered by franchise contracts and is urging young cricketers to play red-ball cricket, stating that Test cricket is the true test of "how well you measure up to the greats".

"I was speaking to (Sydney Thunder teammate, Oliver Davies) the other day. He likes playing white-ball cricket, I can't see him playing red-ball cricket any time soon," Warner said at the Australian Cricket Awards.

^{Sydney Thunder teammate Oliver Davies is a player Warner believes may never play red-ball cricket [Jason McCawley/Getty Images]}

"If he wants to put his mind to it, he can definitely play.

"But I've got a little bit of scaredness about what's going to happen in the next five to 10 years, where cricket is actually heading.

"I'd love for guys coming through to play red-ball cricket and play Test cricket because that's the legacy that you should want to leave behind.

"Playing in the Test arena is amazing. It's a true test of cricket and how well you measure up to the greats of the game."

Warner also expressed his belief that it's difficult to succeed as a white-ball only player, and command big pay checks, without "making a name for yourself" on the Test stage. Tim David, Dan Christian and Chris Lynn are among those to buck the trend.

"Guys see the short-term at the moment with all the league and stuff," he continued. "The best way to get value for your currency is actually making a name for yourself.

"There's only been a small minority of people who have been able to do that and have a long career (without playing Test cricket)."

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