Australian opener David Warner retired from Test cricket after the third Test between Pakistan and Australia in Sydney. Australia won the match by 8 wickets and completed a clean sweep against the Men in Green.
Warner scored 57 runs in the last innings of the Test and scored 299 runs in three matches at an average of 49.83, including a century in the first Test of the series. Overall, the left-hander scored 8786 runs in 112 Test matches at an average of 44.6, including 37 fifties and 26 hundreds.
Despite David Warner’s stellar record as a Test cricketer, former Australian coach John Buchanan denied counting him among the greats of Test cricket. Speaking to SEN Breakfast, Buchanan believes that the likes of Don Bradman, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne are those considered to be the greats of the format.
I don’t see David Warner in that category: John Buchanan, former Australia coach
“I think he has certainly performed exceptionally well throughout this career, he has over 8000 runs, he has played over 100 Test matches, over 160 ODIs and almost 100 T20s. In terms of performance, he is up there,” Buchanan said.
“But the greats of the game, in my opinion, are people who really do and have done something exceptional that others just can’t match, so you automatically go to the Bradmans, the McGraths, the Warnes, they are the greats in my opinion.” . Others come close, but they just aren’t in that category and I don’t see Warner in that category,” he further added.
David Warner, in the post-match presentation after Australia’s series win against Pakistan, thanked everyone who has been a part of his journey as a Tets international cricketer. In that long speech, he thanked his fans, teammates and especially his wife who supported him during the most difficult times.
“I would like to be remembered as exciting, entertaining and I hope to make everyone smile with the way I played and I hope little kids can follow in my footsteps. White ball cricket to try cricket. It is the pinnacle of our sport. So keep working hard to play the red ball game because it is also entertaining,” Warner said in his post-match introductory speech.
Cricket Australia is now looking for Warner’s replacement at the top of the order. Among the many options, Steve Smith appears to be the favorite to replace him as an opener in Test cricket. Smith has never opened for Australia in Test cricket and has primarily batted at number four throughout his Test career.
Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft are the other three options CA have been considering. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson recently backed Cameron Green to replace Warner as opener. Watson himself switched from top opening batting in Test cricket to batting in the middle order and believes Green can also follow the same path.
Warner also announced his retirement from ODIs last week. However, he is open to playing in the 2025 Champions Trophy and hence a return to ODI cricket is on the cards for the left-hander. He will next be seen leading the Dubai Capitals at the ILT20 2024 starting January 19 in the United Arab Emirates.
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