The curtain has come down. David Warner has retired from the two longer formats of the game, leaving many fans emotional and a bit teary-eyed. But this was not the time to be sad. This was a time to cheer the spirit of Warner and how he was instrumental even in his last three Tests as Australia defeated Pakistan on Saturday in Sydney to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
It was a simple series win, but the focus was on Warner on the final day. He duly went out on a high, with a typically punishing 57 to make light of a tricky run chase. There was grace and there was being a true pro – perform, deliver a virtuoso performance and walk into the sunset with the family, where his wife Candice has been so important.
The last innings from Warner was not a big one. Yes, his half-century was laced with emotion, as this was his last romance, the last dance. He had lost his Baggy Green and found it.
“It’s pretty much a dream come true,” said Warner afterwards. “You win 3-0 and cap off what’s been a great 18 months to two years for the Australian cricket team. World Test Championship win, Ashes series draw and then the World Cup. To come here and finish 3-0 is an outstanding achievement. I’m proud to be with a bunch of great cricketers here.”
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Talking of Saturday morning, Warner said: “Just a casual walk up to the local cafe, get a coffee with a young one, and then I just got into the car. I felt happy and really proud. To come here in front of your home crowd with the support they’ve shown me and the Australian cricket over the last decade or my career, I can’t thank them enough. Without you guys, we aren’t able to do what we do. It’s really much appreciated.
“Thank you, Candice for what you’ve done, you mean the world to me and I appreciate it. It’ll be quite emotional to watch the boys go out there (West Indies series) and not play knowing that I was able to come out here and do what I could do.”
Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, was man of the series for his 19 wickets. “Really happy with how I performed,” he said. “Don’t think I have to take too much credit for that. It has been fantastic and I love the way the boys performed. It has been a great start to the summer for us.
“The way Davey and Marnus [Labuschagne] went today was great. You felt like the whole stadium was erupting, was a great moment. Josh [Hazlewood] has bowled really well without much success in this series. Huge contribution from Mitchy [Marah], he is thriving, just showing how good he is.
“I heard it’s Davey’s last Test match apparently, it will be hard to replace him the way he plays, a tough personality. A week at home before we go to Adelaide. A good time to reflect on the series and obviously on David Warner’s career.”
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