Australian legend David Warner sets end date for Test career

Australia’s star opener, David Warner, has made the decision to retire from Test cricket during the upcoming Australian summer. Currently in England for the ICC World Test Championship against India, Warner is expected to feature in the subsequent five-match Ashes series against England. However, the 36-year-old has revealed his intention to conclude his Test career following Australia’s Test match against Pakistan at his home ground in Sydney in January. Warner shared this news with reporters prior to Australia’s training session in Beckenham, expressing his desire to retire after the Pakistan series and before the two-match series against the West Indies on home soil.

Warner, who has scored 25 centuries for Australia in 103 Test matches, has previously mentioned that the 2024 T20 World Cup would likely mark his final game. He emphasized the importance of scoring runs and acknowledged that if he performs well in the upcoming matches and the Pakistan series, he will retire thereafter. Warner’s decision to retire from Test cricket does not alter his mindset, as he has always approached each game as if it were his last. He aims to continue bringing energy and enthusiasm to the team and is determined to make a strong start in the Test match against India.

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While Warner intends to conclude his Test career in early 2024, he expressed his desire to continue playing white-ball cricket for Australia until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA next year. The dynamic opener has the 2024 T20 World Cup in his sights, but he acknowledges the busy schedule ahead and plans to participate in the IPL and other franchise leagues. Following that, he aims to prepare for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for June. Warner also hinted at the possibility of playing domestic cricket for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.

However, Warner’s immediate focus is on the World Test Championship Final against India. He believes he has been in good form during practice sessions since arriving in England. Usman Khawaja, Warner’s fellow opener, has been observing him closely and has high expectations for his performance at The Oval.

“I have seen him bat in the last couple of days, and, I don’t want to jinx him, but he is looking good,” Khawaja remarked. “This is probably the best I have seen him look in the nets for a while. That doesn’t always correlate to runs, but if we are any chance of Davey Warner scoring runs, this could be it. You never write off a great player, so I am expecting runs.”

As Warner approaches the final chapter of his Test career, he aims to leave a lasting impact and contribute to Australia’s success in the upcoming series and the World Test Championship Final.