Saturday was an emotional day for all of the cricket followers as Australia star batter David Warner performed his final Take a look at match on the Sydney Cricket Floor in opposition to Pakistan. The 37-year-old dashing opener ended his 13 years lengthy Take a look at profession with a exceptional half-century, which helped Australia declare an eight-wicket win and register a clear sweep within the three-match collection. Within the chase of 130, Warner scored 57 off 75 balls earlier than getting LBW out by Sajid Khan. Nevertheless, his final moments on the sphere as a Take a look at batter grabbed lots of consideration and broke many hearts.

Within the 25 over of Australia’s chase, Sajid struck on Warner’s pads and appealed for LBW. The on-field umpire signaled not out, after which, Pakistan opted for a DRS overview. Because the TV umpire gave the choice in favor of Pakistan, Warner took the lengthy stroll again to the pavilion, receiving a heartwarming applause from the gamers in addition to the viewers.

For the ultimate time, David Warner leaves the Take a look at area to a standing ovation from his dwelling crowd #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/EOrHijY6ke

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 6, 2024

“It is just about a dream come true to win 3-0 and cap off what has been an incredible 18 months to 2 years for the Australian crew,” he stated after Australia claimed an eight-wicket victory for a sweep of the collection.

“I am simply proud to be with a bunch of nice cricketers. These guys — they work their backsides off. To come back right here in entrance of my dwelling crowd and the assist they’ve proven me and the crew during the last decade of my profession, I can not thank them sufficient,” he added.

He departed the red-ball sport after plundering 8,786 runs at a mean of 44.60, with a strike price of 70.20, blasting 26 centuries and 37 half-centuries.

A bigger-than-life character, Warner additionally collected 91 catches as probably the most constant slip fielders in cricket.

“He’s most likely our greatest-ever three-format participant. He’ll be a loss,” Australian coach Andrew McDonald stated forward of the Take a look at.

Warner final week additionally introduced his retirement from one-day worldwide cricket, however is predicted to proceed within the Twenty20 format.

Whereas one of many best openers the game has recognized, Warner’s exploits will perpetually be overshadowed by the position he performed within the infamous “sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering scandal of 2018.

He was seen because the chief plotter when Cameron Bancroft used sandpaper to scuff the ball earlier than a crude try to hide the proof down his trousers in the course of the third Take a look at in Cape City.

Together with skipper Steve Smith, he was suspended for a 12 months by Cricket Australia, stripped of the vice-captaincy and banned from ever main the crew.

Regardless of the controversies Warner was welcomed again into the Australia fold when his ban ended and made his comeback in the course of the Ashes collection in opposition to England in 2019.

He has been a fixture ever since with selectors now dealing with the tough resolution of who replaces him, with a two-Take a look at dwelling collection in opposition to the West Indies beginning on January 17 in Adelaide.

Recognised openers Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw are seen because the contenders to fill the position.

Nevertheless, Smith added a twist to the plot this week when he put his hand as much as transfer up from quantity 4 and do the job.

That might open the door for the return of younger all-rounder Cameron Inexperienced in the course of the order, having been neglected in current Checks in favour of a resurgent Mitchell Marsh.

(With AFP Inputs)