It’s going to be hard to replace Davey: Pat Cummins
In the culmination of the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia bid adieu to David Warner from Test cricket. Delivering a memorable performance, Warner’s final flourish saw him notch up 57 runs from 75 balls. His departure was nothing short of a grand spectacle, as the SCG echoed with a thunderous ovation for the departing veteran.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins acknowledged the Australia opener’s invaluable contribution and expressed the immense challenge of filling the void left by the aggressive batter. Over a glorious 12-year tenure, Warner’s dynamic batting prowess consistently laid the foundation for Australia’s triumphs and left an indelible mark on the Test arena.
“It’s going to be hard to replace Davey, he’s basically played every game for the last dozen years, he’s a huge personality; he really sets the game up with the way he plays every time he walks out. He’s going to be huge to replace. We’ll enjoy him for the next day or so while we’ve still got him around,” Cummins was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Warner departs from Test cricket in style
On his final day in Test cricket, the 37-year-old showcased his brilliance not just with a quickfire half-century but also in a crucial 119-run partnership alongside Marnus Labuschagne for the second wicket. While chasing a modest target of 130 runs, the early loss of Usman Khawaja didn’t deter the hosts, as Warner and Labuschagne steered the ship and guided Australia to a comfortable victory. His innings eventually concluded, dismissed by off-spinner Sajid Khan, a replacement for Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Pakistan line-up for the Sydney Test.
Post-match, he expressed gratitude to the ardent crowd for their unwavering support and commended the Australian team’s unwavering commitment to international cricket throughout his illustrious 12-year tenure. Earlier, retirement from ODI cricket was a decision rooted in the New South Wales-born cricketer’s desire to prioritise family time, his last appearance in the format dated back to the World Cup final against India.
