Australian Cricketer David Warner Retirement from ODIs Ahead of Last Test
Australian cricketer David Warner has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) ahead of the last Test against South Africa. The 35-year-old opening batsman made the decision to step away from the limited-overs format to focus on his Test career.
Warner announced the Sydney Test against Pakistan would be his last and has also called time on his ODI career after winning the World Cup in India.
- Warner has had a successful ODI career, representing Australia in 123 matches and scoring 5,567 runs at an average of 45.80. He has also scored 14 centuries and 21 half-centuries in ODIs. Warner’s aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly made him a valuable asset to the Australian team.
In a statement, Warner expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he had in the ODI format and thanked his teammates, coaches, and fans for their support throughout his career. He mentioned that he made the decision with the aim of prolonging his Test career and contributing to the success of the Australian team in the longer format of the game.
Warner’s retirement from ODIs comes as no surprise, as he has been focusing primarily on Test cricket in recent years. He has been a key player for Australia in the longer format, with an impressive record of 7,244 runs in 89 Test matches, including 24 centuries and 30 half-centuries.
As Warner prepares for his last Test match, the cricketing fraternity will bid farewell to one of Australia’s most prolific limited-overs batsmen. His aggressive style of play and ability to dominate the opposition will be sorely missed in the ODI format.
With Warner’s retirement, it remains to be seen who will step up to fill the void in the Australian ODI team. The selectors will have to identify a suitable replacement who can provide the team with the same level of firepower at the top of the order.
Warner’s decision to retire from ODIs reflects his commitment to his Test career and his desire to contribute to the success of the Australian team in the longer format. Fans will eagerly await his performance in his last Test match, as he bids farewell to the ODI format.
“I’ve got to give back to the family and also on the back of that [World Cup] I’m definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well,” he said at a news conference on Monday.
“It’ll help the one-day team move along a bit,” an emotional Warner said, with his wife and children also present.
“I know there’s a Champions Trophy coming up,” he added.
“If I’m playing decent cricket in two years’ time and I’m around and they need someone, I’m going to be available.”
The Champions Trophy has not been played since 2017 but is set to be resurrected in 2025 in Pakistan. Traditionally 50-over cricket, reports have said there has been a push to make it T20.
Warner scored 22 centuries and 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 over 161 ODIs after his debut in January 2009, winning two World Cups in the format.
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