David Warner’s decorated Test career is over, dismissed for 57 in the second innings of Australia’s eight wicket win against Pakistan at the SCG.
Warner showed plenty of intent throughout the 75-ball innings, going deep into the arsenal with an array of shots including reserve sweeps and even charging the wicket against the Pakistan quicks.
With Australia needing just 11 runs for victory and Warner in good touch at the crease, it appeared the fairytale conclusion to his 111-game Test was in the works with the outgoing star poised to be the one to hit the winning runs.
However, he was struck on the back leg by a Sajid Khan delivery which was originally given not out before being overturned after a DRS review.
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“And that’s it. That is the finish for David Warner,” Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
“It was a slow, painful end for him but he’s done his job as he so often did for his country.
“The emotion, the passion, all coming to the fore now. All the Pakistan players are coming over to say well done to this warrior.
“A remarkable career.”
Warner was emotional in a post-match interview with Mark Howard on Fox Cricket, paying credit to the role his family have played in his career.
“I felt happy, I felt really proud (coming to the ground this morning),” Warner said.
Warner’s career ends in emotional scenes | 03:05
“We’re in the entertainment business and I just tried to come out and showcase what I can do, play my shots and we managed to get a win on the board which is great.
“(Family) is a massive part of my life. You can’t do what you do without their support.
“I give credit to my parents for a beautiful upbringing, my brother Steve, and then you know came along Candice who sort of got me into line and we now have a beautiful family… I’m not going to carry on because I’ll get too emotional.”
Before the day’s play, Warner has reflected on his career and the reputation he’s forged throughout his 12-year Test journey, admitting he wished that he bitten his tongue a little during his time in the middle.
Warner walked out onto the SCG on his own at the start of Day 4, his final ever day of Test cricket.
The SCG painted a ‘Thanks Dave’ tribute on the ground with Warner’s Australian Test number of 426.
The best of Warner’s final Test innings | 04:05
“David Warner leads them on. Touch of a (Australian) flag, he’ll walk across a tribute to himself… How cool,” Ian Smith said on Fox Cricket.
“Take it all in everybody. A cricketing career dedicated to that Baggy Green on his head, may well end today.”
Before play, Warner spoke to Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard, who asked the outgoing star what it was like to play his farewell Test in front of a home crowd.
“It’s amazing. I did say six months ago that this would be ideal,” Warner said.
Over the years, I haven’t been everyone’s cup of tea but for me, I’ve played the game as hard as I can and trying to do my best for the team.
“Hopefully I’ve regained that trust and belief from everyone.”
Warner was typically honest in the chat with Howard, stressing that all he wanted to do was play for Australia with “pride and passion”.
Pakistan offer touching gesture to Davey | 00:37
However, the outgoing star lamented the way he used his aggression out in the middle at times throughout his career.
Warner was a central figure in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018, where he copped a year suspension from first class cricket.
He also had an off-field run-in with South African keeper Quinton de Kock, stemming from personal sledging claims.
“I think a lot of people don’t get to see or meet or know the person. From when I first started, I was that chirpy little fella that was out there,” Warner said.
“That was my role in the team. my role in the team was to go out there and get under the batter’s skin and the opposition’s skin and yeah, it did boost me a little bit because they came at me when I batted.
“But they saw it early days. and I think your first impression, you don’t get a second chance at that and you know, I’ve tried to rebuild that trust and faith.”
Warner says he has no doubt changed his approach in his later years, attributing a self-imposed drinking ban.
All class as Warner makes final walkout | 01:22
“I went two years where I was being called the Reverend, I stopped drinking for two and a half years and really enjoyed that time,” he said.
“I think people wanted the old bull back, but for me, it was going out there and playing with pride and passion. and there’s other ways to go about it. I’ve toned it down a hell of a lot and that’s the real person that I am.
“I think the game’s changed a lot as well. you’re playing with a lot of the guys you’re playing against. there’s no need to go out there and be really chirpy and aggressive, there’s other ways to do that.
If I had my time again and I knew that, I probably would show a little bit more patience with myself and I’d bite my tongue a little bit more.”