Former Australian captain Greg Chappell hopes the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will provide a memorable farewell to veteran opener David Warner, who will play the final Test of his career next week. The former Team India coach praised the left-handed batsman’s contributions over the years despite polarizing public and media opinion.
David Warner, 37, made his Test debut in 2011 and has been Australia’s first-choice opener ever since. He has an excellent record in Test cricket and is Australia’s fifth-highest run-getter in this format. He has a formidable home record of 5347 runs in 53 Test matches with 335* as the highest individual score of his coming against Pakistan.
In his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, Chappell wrote: “I know how difficult it is to do what he has done through 111 Tests, so I hope David’s harshest critics recognize his talent and contribution and forgive his human weaknesses. . I hope Sydney bids a fond farewell to David Warner next week. “Regardless of what you think of him, David Warner has been fantastic for Australian cricket.”
The former India coach praised the left-hander’s enthusiasm for the game over the years. “The passion, energy, professionalism and competitiveness he has brought to each competition has been incomparable. “You must accept that you have allowed yourself to be portrayed in a certain way.”
Sandpapergate scandal will be a permanent stain on David Warner’s career, says Greg Chappell
Ahead of the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at Perth’s Optus Stadium, David Warner received harsh criticism from his former teammate Mitchell Johnson. However, he silenced all the critics after a fantastic 164 on the first day of the Perth Test, completing his 26th Test century.
Chappell, however, considers the 2018 sandpaper saga a permanent stain on Warner’s career. The 75-year-old explained: “David will never get over the ‘Sandpaper Door’ incident. That scar on Australian cricket must belong to many more people than Warner and Bancroft. Warner’s role in the success of Australian cricket during his time cannot be underestimated. In the modern era, only Virender Sehwag has been more damaging than Warner as an opener.”
The former Australian captain also hopes Australia choose a similar replacement for the left-hander. He continued: “While the best fast bowlers always fancy themselves against anyone, they know that certain bowlers can destroy them if they are not at the top of their game. “The impact of a destructive first match can never be overestimated and I firmly believe that the selectors must look for someone with similar skills to replace Warner or risk losing the unique advantage that Australia has enjoyed over the last decade.”
David Warner is likely to retire from all forms of cricket after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled for June 2024 and will be jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States. Australia has already won the series against Pakistan by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The Sydney test will be the last for David Warner and he hopes to end on a memorable note.
