7 January 2024 11:04 am Views - 195
David Warner signed off from Test cricket with a 57 to lead Australia to a cherished win over Pakistan in the Sydney Test. The opener batted in his characteristic aggressive fashion, hitting seven fours in pursuit of 130. Though he fell when Australia were 11 short of the target, the batter had done enough to ensure a comfortable win.
It was the end of a glorious Test as well as ODI career. Warner finished with 8786 Test runs at an average of 44.59, with 26 Test hundreds and 37 fifties. In the ODI format, Warner ended with 6932 runs at an average of 45.3, with 22 ODI hundreds and 33 fifties. He was a participant in several successful Test and ODI triumphs, including the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup wins in 2015 and 2023 and the ICC World Test Championship victory in 2023.
Speaking to the host broadcaster at the end of the Test, Warner believed that the win was the culmination of a perfect period for Australian cricket.
"It's pretty much a dream come true. Win 3-0 [against Pakistan] and cap off what's been a great 18 months to two years for the Australian cricket team. On the back of the World Test Championship win, Ashes series draw, and then the World Cup [in India] and then to come here and finish 3-0 is an outstanding achievement and I'm just proud to be with this bunch of great cricketers here."
Warner also appreciated his home crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground,"I felt happy and really proud. And just to come here in front of your home crowd with the support that they've shown me, and the Australian cricket team over the last decade of my career.
"I can't thank them enough. Without you guys, we aren't able to do what we do and it's much appreciated."
Warner added that he was pleased with his attacking knock, which was a fitting finale to his career and a reflection of his mindset.
"We're in the entertainment business, and I'm just happy to come out here and showcase what I try to do all the time," Warner said. "I started with T20 and tried to come out here and tried and emulate that but I tried to play my shots, go out the way that I have played. And yeah, managed to get a win on the board which is great."
An emotional Warner also thanked his family for their support, and backing through his cricketing career, reserving a special mention for his wife, Candice.
"Without their support you can't do what you do. I owe credit to my parents for giving me a beautiful and great upbringing. My brother Steve, I followed in his footsteps. And then Candice came along and sort of got me in line. We've had a beautiful family and I cherish every moment I get with them. I love them to death, and I'm not going to keep carrying on because I'll get too emotional.
But thank you, Candice, for what you've done. You mean the world to me, and I appreciate it."
Warner signed off by discussing how he would love to be remembered after he was gone, "[As] exciting, entertaining, and I hope I put a smile on everyone's face with the way that I played. And hopefully. the young kids out there can follow in my footsteps.
"White-ball cricket to Test cricket. It's the pinnacle of our sport. So keep working hard to play the red-ball game because it's entertaining as well."