David Warner has once again done what he always did best – create a headline about himself.

Despite announcing his international retirement a year ago he has boldly offered to dig the baggy green out of his cupboard and take the field against India next month.

In typical Bull fashion the former left-handed opening batter has gone as far as to suggest he would be a better option at the top of Australia’s Test order than most other contenders.

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“Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation,” Warner told News Corp, stating he is “dead serious” about ending his Test retirement if asked to.

“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone.”

Warner, now 37, hasn’t faced a red ball since farewelling the Sydney Cricket Ground with a half century early in the new year.

It is true no one in the Sheffield Shield has been bashing down George Bailey’s door demanding a baggy green.

Teenage talent Sam Konstas has looked most likely after twin hundreds for New South Wales in the first round of the Shield.

Other candidates – Matt Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris – have essentially failed to nail down a Test recall, while selectors are mulling a debut for Nathan McSweeney, who bats at three. That would potentially require a move up the order for Marnus Labuschagne as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner.

But Warner’s belief that he could provide a better option than any of the above is borne from the same sense of self-importance that created the circus around his retirement last year.

Many Australian cricket fans were of the belief Warner as good as guilted selectors into picking him for the summer series after he confirmed it would be his last chance to play Tests Down Under.

He went three years without a Test century before breaking the drought with a 200 against South Africa in the 2022 Boxing Day match. Many pundits were calling for him to be dropped before that innings.

He reached triple figures just once more in the 23 innings since that double, before retiring midway through last summer.

If you analyse Warner’s Test career as a whole it speaks of greatness – 112 matches for 8786 runs at an average of 44.59, including 26 centuries.

But it was slim pickings after the home summer of 2020-21.

And against India his statistics paint a grim picture.

A total of 21 matches for 1218 runs at 31.23, including four centuries, is not too bad considering the historical strength of the opponent.

Warner scored two of those tons in the same match – Adelaide in December 2014. He followed it up with 101 in Sydney a few weeks later.

In the 18 innings since then he registered one half century – a 56 – and averaged a measly 19.41 against India, with a shocking 13 scores under 20.

The last time he faced India in Australia he scored 67 runs in four knocks at 16.75 – numbers that would get a lot of other cricketers dropped.

And if Warner did come out of retirement to play this five-match Border-Gavaskar series a couple of the visiting bowlers would be licking their lips.

Indian quick Mohammed Siraj has played five matches against Warner – he’s dismissed him three times for 5, 1, and 1.

Veteran fast bowler Mohammad Shami has also found great success against the spirited Aussie opener, averaging an enviable 8.00 against Warner from their six meetings.

Australia would be the laughing stock of the cricket world if selectors did call Warner and asked him to exit retirement a year after hanging them up.

Test cricket has moved past the Bull. Hopefully the Bull can one day do the same.