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PERTH: Australian coach Mickey Arthur has tipped big-hitting opener David Warner as a future captain of his country, after the 25-year-old drove the home side to victory over India in the third Test.
Warner was the catalyst for Australia's innings and 37-run win at Perth's WACA Ground, belting a 69-ball century on his way to making 180.
It was the second century in only five Tests for the former Twenty20 specialist and Arthur said the left-hander had already shown enough promise to suggest he is captaincy material.
“Davey has leadership potential, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
“He has the ability to lead any Australian team in any form of the game at some stage.
“When that is, I am not sure, it could be in two weeks or three or four years, but I know he has the ability to lead.
“He has a very good cricket brain, leads by example and trains the house down.”
Arthur also believes Australia are on the path toward reclaiming the top ranking in Test cricket after taking the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India.
The former coach of South Africa said the team, currently ranked fourth in the world, was progressing faster than expected just a few matches into his tenure.
“I do think we are a little bit ahead of where I thought we'd be at this time,” he said.
“I've been hugely impressed with the players and I think Australian cricket is in a very healthy place.
“We want to get back to number one and that journey has just started.”
At the same time, Arthur said Australia's embattled rivals, India, face a challenging time as they seek to replace several celebrated – but ageing – senior batsmen in the near future. “There is no doubt you need to have some forward planning and identify some young players,” he said of the Indians.
“You need to find ways to get those young players into the system and the side and give them opportunities.
“I am pretty sure they'll make the right decisions going forward.”
Arthur suggested spinner Nathan Lyon would return for the fourth Test in Adelaide and backed struggling number three Shaun Marsh to rediscover his best form in the final match.
