David Warner must open for Australia at the World Cup, according to two men who know a thing or two about opening the batting at the quadrennial event.
Adam Gilchrist and his former one-day opening partner Mark Waugh were adamant on Tuesday that Warner must face the new ball on his return, alongside Aaron Finch, likely leaving Usman Khawaja to battle with Shaun Marsh for the No.3 spot.
Gilchrist formed part of Australia's two most prolific opening combinations in one-day history, alongside both Matthew Hayden and Waugh.
Finch and Warner sit fourth on that list, and the former vice-captain said the pair had to be reunited in England.
"I think Warner has got to be at the top," Gilchrist said at Fox Cricket's World Cup launch.
"Sometimes you've got to stop and think, 'What would an opponent least like you to do?'
"And that's Dave Warner coming out to make an impact right from the start of the game"
Warner found form in the Indian Premier League but scored just 41 runs across three warm-up games against New Zealand earlier this month, while Khawaja and Finch recently starred in Dubai and India.
Warner had previously batted at No.3 and No.4 during the 2016 World Twenty20, something Waugh conceded was potentially an error in his time as a selector, given Australia crashed out in the group stages of that tournament.
He now believes Warner has to open alongside Finch on June 1 against Afghanistan.
"While the field is up he's very aggressive and can play with great intent, laying the platform for the rest of the innings," Waugh said.
Gilchrist also reflected on the attention Steve Smith and Warner will come under from the crowds in England, especially after their 12-month bans for the ball tampering saga.
"I think we all know what that (reception) is going to be," Gilchrist said.
"They expect it. If they get results it will be white noise in the background.
"The challenge will be if they don't get results. Whether they can keep it as white noise or whether it clouds your judgment and decision making.
"But they'll be well prepared."
One of Australia's most celebrated players of the 21st century, Gilchrist felt the pressure of England's crowds when out of form during the 2005 Ashes.
"That killed me in '05. That got hold of me mentally," he said.
"I was totally engulfed by it all ... You think everyone is looking at you, talking about you and judging you as a person. That's how affected I was.
"And I was not doing anything near what the guys have done to attract the attention."
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