Warner announced that the Sydney Test against Pakistan would be his last and also ended his ODI career after winning the World Cup in India.
Australia opener David Warner has taken time off his one-day international (ODI) and Test match careers to spend more time with his family but kept the door open to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy if required.
The 37-year-old, a key member of the Australian team that won the ICC 50-over Cricket World Cup for the sixth time in India last year, will play his 112th and final Test against Pakistan at their Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). ) since Wednesday.
“I have to give back to the family and also thanks to that. [World Cup] I will definitely retire from one-day cricket as well,” he said at a press conference on Monday.
“It will help the one-day team move forward a little bit,” said an emotional Warner, with his wife and children also present.
“I know the Champions Trophy is coming,” he added.
“If I play decent cricket in two years’ time and I’m around and they need someone, I’ll be available.”
The Champions Trophy has not been played since 2017, but will be resurrected in 2025 in Pakistan. Traditionally 50-over cricket, reports have said there has been a push to make it T20.
Warner scored 22 centuries and 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 in 161 ODIs after his debut in January 2009, winning two World Cups in that format.
David Warner retires from ODI cricket, a two-time World Cup winner and Australia’s sixth most prolific run-scorer. pic.twitter.com/LGn44T1UCL
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 1, 2024
Prolific record in the World Cup
Australia’s victory against India in the World Cup final on November 19 last year remains Warner’s last ODI outing. He was Australia’s top scorer in the tournament.
Among his compatriots, only Ricky Ponting (30) has more ODI hundreds than Warner’s 22.
A sought-after name in franchise cricket, the aggressive opener remains available for Australia in the shortest format of the game and is hopeful of playing in the T20 World Cup in June.
“It was a decision I felt very, very comfortable with,” he said.
“Winning in India, where we were, was absolutely amazing.
“When we lost two games in a row in India, the bond between us became stronger, and it is no coincidence or fluke that we were able to get to where we were.”
Warner will play in the ongoing Big Bash League after the Sydney Test and has sought permission from Cricket Australia to play in a franchise tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Warner, who is also contracted to the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, highlighted the threat Test cricket faces from franchise cricket.
“Fortunately, in my development, I didn’t have that there, so I didn’t have to make the decision to go out and play in those.”
“Nowadays, with so many different opportunities and so much money at stake for young people coming up, it’s a tough decision to make.”
Warner has played 111 Tests for Australia, scoring 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, with 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries.
