David Warner has announced he plans to retire from Test cricket this summer, with the Australia opener eyeing off a Sydney farewell against Pakistan.
Warner will regain his spot at the top of the order and open against India in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday at The Oval in London.
He then hopes to play through the Ashes and the first three Tests of the home summer against Pakistan, before bowing out in the New Year’s fixture in Sydney.
That would leave Australia eying off a new era at the top of the order for the final two Tests of the home summer against West Indies in Adelaide and Brisbane.
David Warner. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“I can definitely say I won’t be playing that West Indies series,” Warner said from Australia’s training in England.
“If I get through this and I can make the Pakistan series I’ll definitely finish up.
“I’ve always played every game as if it’s my last. It’s my style of cricket.
“I just keep working as hard as I can to get to there.
“It starts this Test against India and I’m just looking forward to that challenge and then the challenge that presents itself against England.”
Warner’s retirement from Tests will form part of a staggered exit from international cricket in the next 12 months.
The 36-year-old has previously indicated he intends to retire from one-day cricket after this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
Next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA would then mark his last international tournament, if the opener has his way.
“You’ve got to score runs. I’ve always said the world cup would probably be my final game,” Warner said.
“We’ve got a lot of cricket before that, and then I think it stops from February.
“I’ll have to play obviously IPL some of the other franchise leagues and then get into that rhythm to play in June.
“There will be a bit of cricket around to play.”
If Warner is to maintain his spot in Australia’s team and retire in Sydney, he will finish as the country’s 10th-most capped Test player with 112 to his name.
But he is also well aware he must score runs in England to ensure his exit goes to plan.
The left-hander was restricted to 95 runs at an average of 9.5 in the last Ashes series in England.
He has reached triple-figures just once in his 32 Test innings since January 2020.
Coach Andrew McDonald indicated last week Warner would play a role in the Ashes, suggesting he will suit up at Edgbaston for the first Test against England on June 16 after the Test Championship final.
The other concern for Warner could also be his fitness.
He took a ball to his left elbow batting in the nets on Thursday in Kent, on the same joint that was fractured in India when he was struck by a Mohammed Siraj short ball.
Warner was able to continue batting in on Thursday, and said he was in no doubt for the Test Championship final.
“It went numb and I had to get it strapped, but it’s fine now – a little bit sore, but lucky it didn’t hit me on top,” he said.
“The last one hit from above and had a hairline fracture.
“This time it’s just a straight blow on to the corner of the elbow.”
Fix'd
Roar Rookie
And that's what's wrong with Cricket Australia. He's hopelessly out of form, has a poor record in England (and India) but is still certain to be selected for the next 9 tests until he gets to retire on his terms.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Jeff you give this muppet to much credit to suggest he understand Chinese culture . Should he be playingm no after the worst average in opening history some 4 years ago now . Could be make runs ? if there are flat Baz ball decks he may get lucky but clearly the selectors owe him favors or are bias .
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
they did with Katich and some people have never forgiven them. (right approach, wrong piece of the troika)
Pop
Roar Rookie
I don’t know whether administrators and selectors have “ Staggering “ discussions with players. It would appear from past collective retirements, no.
The Bush
Roar Guru
It's hard to do this, but it'd be good to try and stagger; I'd move Warner on now, ask Khawaja and Smith to play at least this summer and hopefully at least one of them to tour New Zealand next year. If he's fit, I'd very much have Richardson playing with Cummins and only one of Starc/Hazlewood or Boland this summer, in preparation for moving on from them (age related). Otherwise I'd be giving Morris a run this summer too, to start freshening up the quicks. Be nice to find a left-armer too if we can. The moving on from Lyon will be in some ways the most interesting; probably just plays on until he decides it's time.
Pop
Roar Rookie
I would like to see a Smith farewell at the SCG.
Pop
Roar Rookie
I agree it’s TRANSITION time. It’s the ‘retirement domino effect’. Lillee Marsh Chappell all went at once. McGrath, Warne, Langer All went together. If you’re part of a number one team it’s hard to think of being part of a potentially struggling unit. Yes Lyon might go with NSW mates.
The Bush
Roar Guru
If we win the Ashes, based on what Smith keeps saying, I'd probably bet on him retiring, but it'd be a real shame to not play a last home summer for the fans (though I'd undersatnd why not from his perspective). If the selectors had any brains, which they don't, they'd drop Warner for the home summer and beg Khawaja to play on so that we don't have two brand new openers at the same time. Starc has shown no indication of wanting to retire, so he'd need to be dropped and I doubt it at this stage. Dunno about Hazlewood, the injuries just keep mounting. Always hard to read the tea leaves, but at this rate, you'd say there's a real chance that when we tour New Zealand next year, there could be as many as five 'regulars' missing, if not six (it wouldn't surprise me to find out that Lyon doesn't want to play on once Warner, Smith, Khawaja and potentially Starc/Hazlewood are all gone).
sonnystoiletblockparty
Roar Rookie
Definitely a challenge to the selectors. Time to retire with Candace & the kids. :thumbup: :cricket:
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
They should be the first 2 positions up for grabs, but history and the selectors form tells us it'll be Head who gets chopped first
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
If, only if, it's all a bit iffy.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
"he is playing well at present" :sick:
Opeo
Roar Rookie
I hope he is not needed but if Hazlewood does not come good and there is another injury I would prefer him over Abbott.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Hmmm…. 9 tests too many in those plans.
ojp44
Roar Rookie
actually I think hes likely pretty tactically sharp as he has done well when skipper (last two ipl seasons aside but i think that is time catching up with eye hand coordination, not lack of cricket nous) time will tell... if he sticks to technical analysis he might go ok... as long as I dont have to listen to James Brayshaw gushing over "long levers" or admitting that he hadnt bothered to look up who the visiting teams coach was, I'll be happy enough :cricket: Great screen name btw and good luck next weekend :rugby:
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
Oh mate he'll be a beacon of wisdom and insight....
ojp44
Roar Rookie
He's already signed with Fox cricket; not going away anytime soon :cricket:
ojp44
Roar Rookie
Not IPL TLN; not after being punted by SRH last season and struggling with the Capitals this season. Maybe on a much reduced contract but i watched alot of IPL this season and his inability to consistently find the boundary, let alone clear it, vs his prime, was pretty jarring.
ojp44
Roar Rookie
P Siddy .... still going strong !
ojp44
Roar Rookie
You'll be looking forward to listening to his insights when he joins Fox cricket commentary team no doubt... :unhappy: