The David Warner “circus” is about to roll into the SCG for the final time in a Test match.
The veteran opener was given a standing ovation by the MCG crowd after he left the famous ground for the final time in a red-ball match for Australia during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
Warner was dismissed for six in the second innings after hitting 38 on day one.
But the farewell, which began when he announced before the World Test Championship final in June that he would retire, will conclude next week at his home ground.
Captain Pat Cummins was yet to give the 37-year-old’s final Test much thought after Australia completed a classic 79-run win at the MCG.
David Warner of Australia celebrates after scoring a century during day one of the Men’s First Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
“I think every venue that we’ve gone to around here is kind of special knowing it’s going to be the last, walking off the field acknowledging the crowds,” Cummins said.
“He’s got plenty of his family in the MCG change rooms for probably the last time for a Test match.
“Just keep rolling into Sydney with the Davey circus or whatever you want to call it.
“But get up there, have a great week, celebrate it for him like he deserves.”
Warner has been Australia’s Test opener since 2011, smashing 8695 runs at an average of 44.58 across 111 matches.
He has no intention to retire from international white-ball cricket, until at least after next year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
But after scoring just two centuries in the past four years, Warner’s Test days were clearly coming to an end.
Australia are no clearer on who will succeed Warner as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner, despite the team hosting the West Indies in a two-Test series next month.
Traditional openers Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw have all done the job in Tests before without being able to become a permanent member of the XI.
Australian greats Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey this week both urged selectors to pick one of those three instead of the temptation to move Mitch Marsh up the order.
Cameron Green, who lost his spot at No.6 to Marsh during the Ashes, has also been floated as a possible replacement at the top for Warner.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd say throwing 'new Bruce' under the bus was polarizing
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"Oh, hilair, hilair". Have l mentioned that Scorpio are prone to manipulations. Oh, that's right, that's how we got here in the first place
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
As a commentator he'll be an average spud
Tony
Roar Guru
Can't wait for his commentary career :crying:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Warner never said he demanded a farewell home summer. He simply implied it, when his position in the team was under intense public scrutiny mid year and so he sought to "wedge" the Australian selectors into a position where dropping him "just a few Tests short of his nominated retirement date" became an impossibility.. It's important to remember that whilst Warner's actions could be construed as having set his own retirement date on HIS terms, he never *actually* said that it was his sole right to set his own departure date. Words matter, actions are irrelevant. It's not a war, it's just "a special military operation". Only the actual words spoken hold any relevance. Actions and context are an irrelevance :thumbup:
Gharner
Roar Rookie
Might be 60-80, but hopefully with an extra wicket in hand. It's Test cricket; strike rate isn't everything, and if the opener is inconsistent, all it does is expose the rest of the team to the new ball earlier.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
“it is this fast scoring element of his game that I believe the Australians will find difficult to replace and is the reason the selectors have been reluctant to move him on.” Totally agree. It’s when he’s gone we will realise that once we were 100-120 at lunch we will be 60-80. It will feel like a struggle. It’s actually pre- Warner pace.That will be the new normal. As long as it’s not the slowness of Boycott, Lawry and Tavare.
All day Roseville all day
Roar Guru
How can we miss Warner, if he won't go away ? He's bound to return to the SCG (and elsewhere) within weeks, for multiple T20I, ODI and BBL games. There's still plenty of life in his on-field career.
The Iron Dingo
Roar Rookie
At the end of the day it was never Warner's fault the selectors persisted with him well beyond his due date and certain incidents in South Africa and some other less than stellar moments elsewhere aside he deserves to be remembered as the excellent, if not quite great, cricketer he is. His aggressive approach to opening the batting help set up Australia for victory on may occasions and it is this fast scoring element of his game that I believe the Australians will find difficult to replace and is the reason the selectors have been reluctant to move him on. I've never been a great fan and I always thought he scored big when the going was easy and left others to do the really hard lifting but you can't argue with his record and recognise that he has been a valuable asset to Australian cricket in all formats. While the gushing send off he will be getting will be a little nauseating anyone who goes along to the match to boo or otherwise rain on the parade needs to pull their head in.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Warner should be applauded. Yes a polarising figure , but he gave us some very exciting innings and big hundreds. Some great memories. I just hope that there are no drongos at the SCG that get into “ booing “. If so security should remove them promptly. It is his farewell and he deserves to be farewelled with the praise he deserves, notwithstanding his faults which we are all aware of.