David Warner has announced he will also be retiring from ODI cricket ahead of his farewell Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Warner said he had made a “great decision” to retire from Test cricket but went on to add that he would also be hanging up the boots in the one-day format.
Warner clarified he would answer the call if Australia needed an opener for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 but added retiring from ODI cricket would give him more opportunities to play franchise cricket overseas.
“I’m feeling great,” Warner said.
“It’s a great decision I think I’ve made. I’ve got to give back to the family and also on the back of that I think I’m definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well. That was something I had said through the World Cup, get through that and winning that in India is a massive achievement.
“I make that decision as well today to retire from those forms, which does allow me to play in some other leagues around the world and sort of get the one-day team moving forward a little bit. I know there’s a Champions Trophy coming up and if I’m playing decent cricket still in two years’ time and they need someone, I’m going to be available.”
Warner, who made his Test debut against New Zealand in December 2011, also took the opportunity on Monday to reflect on his career ahead of his 112th and final Test this week.
Specifically, the 37-year-old pointed towards the belief of former Australia captain Greg Chapell as pivotal to shaping his career.
“I think I owe that thanks to Greg Chappell who showed that belief and faith in my talent and ability and the way I play the game,” Warner said.
“In Zimbabwe I’ve got a memory of him at lunchtime at 40-odd not out, he comes up to me and goes: ‘This innings will change your life if you score 100’. I went on to get 200 and then he told me, ‘I told you so’. I look back at that and they’re my fondest memories of how I started.
“I got given the opportunity to open the batting in one-day cricket through Dom Thornley and then out of nowhere after that Zimbabwe series I got to open the batting for New South Wales, so from there it’s been quite surreal.
“I would have never imagined opening the batting for New South Wales or anyone to be honest when I first started but to be here, 112 Tests I think, I still pinch myself.”
David Warner’s ODI international career in numbers
Matches: 161
Runs: 6932
Average: 45.3
Highest score: 179
Strike-rate: 97.26
Fours: 733
Sixes: 130
Centuries: 22
Half-centuries: 33 (Fox Sports)