Why Healy is firmly against a David Warner return and his solution for Australia’s opener problem

Australian cricket great Ian Healy has reacted to the news that David Warner is open to backflipping on his retirement.

The former opener, who stepped away from international Test cricket in January, told Code Sports that he would be prepared to come out of retirement for the upcoming India series if selectors came calling.

“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” said the 37-year-old.

“I’m always dead serious. Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.

“I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game and I wanted to finish (but) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that.”

Former wicket-keeper Healy says he simply cannot see Warner playing Test cricket again for Australia.

“He’s found his Baggy Green and he wants to wear it again,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.

“I’d like to find out more about how this happened, whether he was just doing some media interviews and they said, ‘Would you consider coming back and filling that hole at the top or not?’, or, ‘Oh yeah, I’d do that’.

“It was either tongue-in-cheek or he answered a question and said, ‘Yeah, I’d do that for them’.”

Co-host Corey Parker asked Healy: “Is there a possibility? Is there a likeliness it could happen?

“Does Australia need David Warner?”

Healy replied: “No.”

“You’d need to commit to playing in the pathway if you’re going to play for Australia.

“Then Australia has to commit to its future. Are we going to go young men? Or are we going to go (elsewhere)?”

As the search continues for an opening partner for Usman Khawaja after Steve Smith opted to drop back down the order, the in-form West Australian Josh Inglis has put himself in a good position with two Shield tons in a row.

“We seem to be overlooking Josh Inglis in WA. He’s batting with his elbows out,” said Healy.

“Back-to-back hundreds, so he should make the team as a bat.”

He also commented on 19-year-old New South Welshman Sam Konstas who is being seen as a future Test opener.

“The selectors will have an eye on what they know about a player, and they’ll know they are good enough to take the next step,” Healy added.

“Sometimes it’s this bit, the speculation, and the microscope prior to selection that’s harder than actually playing when you get there. You can relax, just play and do a job for your new team, which is Australia.

“Sam Konstas made 43 yesterday and it was a lot of hard work, the wicket’s not particularly easy, Scott Boland is going extremely well.

“He worked hard and got through a new type of innings for him, so that was good. Reports are he showed some pluck. Is pluck what we’re after? Or do we want a little bit more confidence or just pluck in the Australian side at this stage?

“I’m sure he can make it. Just tell him to go for it, play naturally and he could kill it.”

But if the Australian selectors aren’t ready for Konstas and do want to go down another path, Healy would open with Mitch Marsh and bat Inglis at No.6.

“I’m waiting another week (before picking him). I’d like to see him make more free-flowing runs,” he continued.

“I’m open to it, I like the young man theory.

“But at this stage, if they have to resort back to something else then I’m putting Mitchell Marsh to opener and I’m putting Josh Inglis in at six.

“No other batsman has made back-to-back hundreds so why aren’t we picking Inglis?”

Australia’s five-Test summer against India kicks off in Perth on November 22.