Australia’s David Warner has officially retired from ODI cricket, confirming his decision just days before his farewell Test match against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 37-year-old had earlier announced his intention to retire from Test cricket after the upcoming match against Pakistan but has now extended his retirement to the ODI format as well. However, Warner has expressed his availability for selection in the Champions Trophy in 2025.
David Warner says goodbye to the MCG crowd.
– He gave his gloves to kids, a beautiful moment!pic.twitter.com/ZT8nPQ6i9i
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 28, 2023
David Warner Announced Retirement From ODI Cricket
Warner emphasized that winning the World Cup in India this year was a significant accomplishment, and it had been something he had contemplated earlier. During the World Cup, Warner had an outstanding performance, emerging as the leading run-scorer for his team. In 11 matches, the left-handed batter amassed 535 runs with an average of 48.63 and a strike-rate of 108.29, including two centuries and one fifty. His highest score of 163 was achieved against Pakistan at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
He stated, “I’m definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well,” during interactions with reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday. Warner had set this decision in motion during the World Cup, and securing victory in India added to the magnitude of this achievement.
“So I’ll make that decision today, to retire from those forms, which does allow me to go and play 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. If I’m playing decent cricket in two years’ time and I’m around and they need someone, I’m going to be available.”
Fans Pour in Heartfelt Tributes as Warner Announces ODI Retirement
Meanwhile, social media has been buzzing with reactions from the fans, who came up with heartfelt tributes. Check out the best tributes:
In his 161 One Day Internationals (ODIs) to date, Warner has accumulated 6932 runs at an average of 45.30 and a strike-rate of 97.26. His impressive ODI career includes 22 centuries and 33 half-centuries. Warner made his ODI debut in January 2009 against South Africa in Hobart and concludes his ODI journey as the sixth-highest run-scorer for Australia after Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Michael Clarke, and Steve Waugh.
In his 161 ODIs, Warner accumulated 6932 runs at an average of 45.30 and a strike rate of 97.26. He recorded 22 centuries and 33 half-centuries. Warner made his ODI debut in January 2009 against South Africa in Hobart.
If Warner does not return for the Champions Trophy, he will finish his ODI career as Australia’s sixth-highest run-scorer in the format, with Ponting holding the record for the most centuries by an Australian player in ODIs (29 tons). Notably, Ponting had played 205 more ODI innings than Warner.
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