Right ahead of the World Cup clash against India, Australia's veteran opener David Warner candidly expressed his displeasure over the incessant media attention surrounding his cricketing career and impending retirement. Over the past few years, Warner's journey in the cricketing realm, especially in Test matches, has seen its share of ups and downs. Yet, his prowess in the 50-over game remains commendable. He stands as the second-highest century-maker for Australia in ODIs and boasts an enviable tally of over 6,300 runs, averaging around 45.
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The ongoing ODI World Cup holds great promise for Warner, who is expected to play a pivotal role for the mighty Australia. His commendable form was evident during the recent series against World no.1 India.
Earlier in the year, Warner declared his decision to step away from the longest format, Test cricket. But his passion for the game remains undiminished as he shared his aspirations to continue representing Australia in white-ball cricket till the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, scheduled for 2024 in the West Indies and USA. Alongside this, Warner has envisioned a memorable farewell at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in January 2024.
Yet, amid all his achievements and future plans, the media's relentless focus on speculating Warner's cricketing journey has become a sore point for the cricketer. In a candid interaction with Fox Cricket, Warner expressed his anticipation to conclude his career, hoping that it would redirect the media's attention.
"For me, every moment on the field is about giving my utmost for the team," Warner emphasized.
In his conversation with Fox Cricket, Warner remarked, "I just can't wait to finish, and then they'll have to find someone else's name to use as clickbait. Honestly, the constant attention feels overwhelming, almost to the point of being nauseating."
He further added, "My focus has always been on the team's success. It's never about individual accolades. Each time I step on the field, my aim is to perform to my best and place the team in an advantageous position."
Highlighting the clarity of his retirement plans, Warner stated, “That's precisely why I provided an end date. It marks my intended time to step back, cherish moments with my family, and eventually transition to new ventures like joining the Fox Cricket commentary team. I'm genuinely looking forward to that chapter.”
Australia's squad for ODI World Cup: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
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