Opening batsman David Warner of Australia ended his 12-year career as a Test cricket player on Saturday after smashing a brilliant 57 against Pakistan. He was greeted with a standing ovation as he left his native Sydney Cricket Ground.
In the third Test, spinner Sajid Khan removed the controversial 37-year-old, who had hit seven boundaries in a stay of 75 balls, leg before wicket.
He said, “It’s pretty much a dream come true to win 3-0 and cap off what has been a great 18 months to two years for the Australian team,” after Australia’s eight-wicket triumph to snap their series’ losing streak.
“I’m really honored to be among such outstanding cricket players. These individuals put in an incredible amount of labor.
“To come here in front of my home crowd and the support they have shown me and the team over the last decade of my career, I can’t thank them enough,” he said.
After amassing 8,786 runs at an average of 44.60 and a strike rate of 70.20, he left the red-ball match having scored 26 centuries and 37 half-centuries.
Warner was a legendary figure who amassed 91 catches while being one of cricket’s most reliable slip fielders.
“He is very likely the best three-format player we have ever had. Prior to the Test, Australian coach Andrew McDonald said, “He’ll be a loss.”
Warner also declared his retirement from one-day international cricket last week, although he is anticipated to play Twenty20 cricket instead.
Warner was one of the best openers in sports history, but his accomplishments will always be eclipsed by his part in the infamous “sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering incident in 2018.
During the third Test in Cape Town, Cameron Bancroft was accused of being the main conspirator after scuffing the ball with sandpaper and making a clumsy effort to hide the evidence down his pants.
Cricket Australia punished him for a year, removed him from the vice-captaincy, and prohibited him from ever leading the team again, along with captain Steve Smith.
When Warner’s suspension expired and he returned to the Australia team for the 2019 Ashes series against England, the controversy surrounding him was forgotten.
Since then, he has been a mainstay, and now selectors must make the tough choice of who will take his spot ahead of a two-Test home series against the West Indies that begins in Adelaide on January 17.
Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, and Bancroft—all renowned openers—are seen to be candidates for the position.
But this week, Smith raised his hand to take the position and move up from number four, adding a twist to the story.
This would allow youthful all-rounder Cameron Green, who was benched in favor of a returning Mitchell Marsh in recent Tests, to return to the middle of the order.