David Warner bowed out from Test cricket on Saturday with a series win over Pakistan at his home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The pocket dynamo opener cracked an entertaining knock of 57 runs in 75 balls with the help of 7 fours in his last Test innings as Australia chased down the target of 130 runs with 8 wickets in hand to seal the series 3-0.
After the match, some of the Australian players spoke with the broadcasters as the families of the players joined them on the field.
I just enjoyed batting with David Warner: Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja has played with David Warner since their childhood and both have grown on to become good friends and their families also share a lovely bond. It was reflected when Khawaja’s mother embraced Warner in a warm hug at the SCG.
Usman Khawaja revealed that his mother calls Warner “Shaytan” (the naughty one).
“He (Warner) is hugging my mom, she loves him a lot. Honestly, I just enjoyed batting with him, he attacked the ball, let me play my game,” Khawaja said. “My mum loves him. She calls him Shaytan. Devil. Satan. My mum loved the fact that he was the devil. And it wasn’t her son that she could just push it back to Lorraine and Howard [Warner’s parents].”
David Warner hugs Usman Khawaja’s mum at the end of his career. Usman and David have been friends since the age of six. #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Rk1MxgylfY
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) January 6, 2024
Warner and Khawaja end as Australia’s 7th most successful opening pair, adding 1564 runs in 41 Tests together at the crease. They batted together in some of the toughest conditions in England and Asia and did well. They both were part of the last home Ashes win and the last two drawn series in England.
Coming to Warner, the 37-year-old concluded his Test career with 112 caps, scoring 8786 runs at an average of 44 with 26 centuries and 3 double centuries.
David Warner said: “Hopefully the young kids out there can follow in my footsteps, white ball cricket to Test cricket, it’s the pinnacle of our sport. So keep working hard and play the red ball game which is entertaining as well. Thanks everyone.”
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