Srinagar: Australia’s all format opener, David Warner has confrimed that he is retiring from the ODI cricket as well alongwith Test Cricket at the end of Sydney Test vs Pakistan.
The two-time Cricket World Cup-winner made the announcement on the morning of New Year’s Day. The left-handed opener compiled 6932 runs at 45.30 in the middle format, at a strike rate of 97.26.
Often stepping up at global tournaments, Warner also bows out with 1527 World Cup runs, scored at an average of 56.55, at a rate better than a run a ball. Only five men’s batters stand above him on the all-time World Cup run tally, including compatriot Ricky Ponting (1743).
“I’ve got to give back to the family,” Warner said during his announcement.
“That (ODI retirement) was something I had said through the World Cup, get through that and winning that in India is a massive achievement.”
There was a caveat to Warner’s announcement however, with the veteran open to a return for the 2025 Champions Trophy should he be required.
“I know there’s a Champions Trophy coming up and if I’m playing decent cricket still in two years’ time and they need someone, I’m going to be available.”
Warner entered the Australia set-up as a limited overs specialist, debuting for the team in T20I cricket in January 2009 against South Africa before playing a first-class match. He made his ODI debut against the same opposition a week later, before making a half-century in his second outing in the format.
The 37-year-old opener will also play his final Test match at the SCG against Pakistan, beginning on January 3.