Australia's ace opener David Warner had a dreamy finish to his glittery Test career which was nothing short of spectacular. The batting maestro scored a brilliant fifty to end his red-ball format career in style as it came in Australia's emphatic eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the third Test at the SCG on Saturday, January 6.
Warner looked in his element in his final Test innings, reaching his fifty from just 56 deliveries. The star left-handed batter amassed 57 runs from 75 balls before being dismissed by Sajid Khan. Warner concluded his Test career with a total of 8,786 runs, averaging 44.59.
Right after his farewell Test, Warner spoke his heart out in the post match presentation. He started off by saying,"It's pretty much a dream come true".
Australia swept the three-match Test series against Pakistan 3-0 with a emphatic eight-wicket victory in the last tie at SCG.
Talking about the match, Warner said, “You win 3-0 and cap off what's been a great 18 months to 2 years for the Australian cricket team. World Test Championship win, Ashes series draw and then the World Cup. To come here and finish 3-0 is an outstanding achievement. I'm proud to be with a bunch of great cricketers here. These guys, they work their backsides off, the engine room - the three quicks plus Mitchell Marsh - they work tirelessly in the gym. Credit to them, the physios, the staff behind that ... is outstanding. You look at them, they are amazing, I don't have to ever face them in the nets, which I don't do anyway so that helps. (Today morning) Just a casual walk up to the local cafe, get a coffee with a young one, and then I just got into the car. I felt happy and really proud. To come here in front of your home crowd, the support they've shown me and the Australian cricket over the last decade or my career, I can't thank them enough. It's really much appreciated. We are in the entertainment business, happy to come out here and showcase what I try to do all the time. I started with Twenty20, tried to come here and emulate that, tried to play my shots and managed to get a win on the board.”
Warner thanked his family for the unwavering support throughout his career.
“(Family) Massive part of your life, without their support, you can't do what you do. All credits to my parents for giving me a beautiful upbringing, my brother Steve I have followed his footsteps and then came along Candice who got me in line. We've had a beautiful family. I cherish every moment I get with them. Thank you Candice for what you've done, you mean the world to me and I appreciate it. It'll be quite emotional to watch the boys go out there (West Indies series) and not play knowing that I was able to come out here and do what I could do. You got a great bunch of cricketers here, we are all almost over 30 years of age, time goes by, we are not getting younger. They're energetic, they're world-class and a great bunch of boys. (How would you like to be remembered?) Exciting, entertaining and I hope I put a smile on everyone's face the way I played. Hope 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 and play the red-ball game which is entertaining as well. Thanks everyone,” Warner concluded.
Warner, who concluded his Test career, which spanned for 112 matches, bid adieu to the longest format of the game amid thunderous applause as he walked off the field after being dismissed in his home ground SCG.
As Australia were just 11 runs shy of sealing their third straight win in the three-match Test series, Warner's innings ended with an lbw dismissal by Sajid Khan. He received a rousing ovation from the SCG audience as he acknowledged them while departing.
Warner finished his illustrious Test career with 8786 runs at an average of 44.59 which was studded with 26 centuries, three double tons and 37 fifties. The southpaw will no longer feature in the red-ball format and ODIs. Making his way to the dressing room, he was warmly greeted by former Test captain Steve Smith, who, along with Marnus Labuschagne, scored the remaining runs needed for victory. Warner took a moment to give his Australia helmet and batting gloves to a young fan at the players' gate before departing into retirement from Test cricket.
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