David Warner sets record straight amid criticism over Test cricket farewell
The 37-year-old has long stated his desire to farewell Test cricket at his home ground in Sydney.
David Warner has responded to backlash over his Test retirement plans after challenging the narrative spun by critics such as Mitchell Johnson that he's effectively set his own farewell date. Johnson raised eyebrows across the cricket world after launching a scathing attack in an article for the West Australian, where he claimed Warner didn't deserve a "hero's farewell" and labelled his plans for a dream SCG Test finale against Pakistan as "arrogant".
Johnson claimed Warner had not fully owned his part in the ball-tampering scandal, argued his form at Test level over the last couple of years didn't warrant his continued selection and even suggested that Bunnings would run out of sandpaper for the opener's farewell Test at the SCG. Warner has hit back at the argument around his farewell by insisting it was merely his dream to retire from Test cricket at the SCG, and completely dependent on whether he was selected.
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“For me, leading into the World Test championship it was about how many Tests I was going to play," he said. "Look back, if people read my comments, my ideal scenario would be to finish in Australia. But you’ve still got to score runs, you’ve still got to perform. Lord’s was going to be my last Test if I wasn’t scoring runs in England.
“But we managed to keep winning and keep going well, so the selectors kept the faith in me and in the team. Moving forward from there, it’s one of those things where you’ve got to perform. I want to keep the media focused about the team and the Ashes and the World Test Championship.
“I was sick of it all being about me. It’s not about me at all, it’s about the team. If we’re winning and we’re succeeding and I’m doing my job, so be it.” Warner's Test form in Australia - where he averages close to 60 with the bat - more than justifies the faith selectors have placed in him. Across his 110 Tests, the opener has scored 8,487 runs at an average of 44.43, with 25 centuries and 36 half centuries to his name.
David Warner unfazed by criticism around Test farewell
Warner was speaking to Aussie great Adam Gilchrist before the first Test against Pakistan in Perth. The 37-year-old said despite his initial comments around his retirement being taken the wrong way, he learnt a long time ago not to let the criticism affect him.
“I’ve had it going for a long time now,” Warner said. “For me, when I’m outside of cricket and I’m not on the field I’m either with my family, playing golf or spending time with my closest friends. That’s what it’s all about.
“I came here today to enjoy the game of cricket and what I love. I still remember my first couple of games with some friends in the housing commission growing up, up against a wall with a taped tennis ball.
“To come back out here and play another home series is fantastic and they’re still coming along on that journey with me. That’s what really sits well with me. I don’t listen to that noise.”
David Warner feeling no added pressure for Pakistan series
As for whether Warner feels any extra pressure to perform in the Pakistan series after naming his ideal Test farewell date, the opener was typically bullish. “No, not at all,” Warner said. “For me I’ve never really felt pressure.
"I think when you’re out there you might get a little bit of nerves, but I don’t feel the pressure when I go out there. Everyone’s learned now that it (criticism) adds fuel to the fire for me when I go out there. But that’s not the case either.
"Because there’s so much hype and talk about it, I think just when you’re out there you’re just in your zone - you forget about what’s out there. I know there’s a lot of people watching but when you’re in your zone, you’re standing there in the middle of the wicket with your partner up the other end, all your focus is on that next delivery and then running hard between wickets.”
with agencies
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